Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues in condemning the assassination Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. State sponsored terrorism is not welcome. As somebody who has spent many years in Israel and has great regard for the Israeli people, this is the wrong approach.

I also join my colleagues in expressing dismay at the behaviour during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. I had the honour of marching down Fifth Avenue in the St. Patrick's Day parade. On my return, I could not believe the reports of public disorder and riots, fuelled by drink throughout the country. It is creating a very bad impression and sending a serious message to visitors. We have to invite the Minister to respond to Members questions on Garda resources and the deployment of the promised additional 2,000 gardaí. If we do not stamp out this behaviour, St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be banned because the thugs and louts will have taken over. We cannot allow that to happen.