James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I wish to support the call for a debate on the breakdown of law and order in our society, and the gangland killings occurring almost nightly. Rural policing needs to be stepped up not down, as has happened under this Government for the past eight years. Dublin-based gangs nightly attack isolated rural areas and elderly people in rural communities. These people are being assaulted and robbed and live in dread.

In November and December evenings elderly people across the country board up their homes to protect themselves. That is not right in any civilised society. The issue needs to be addressed. We need to fill the lack in society by bringing back the small rural Garda stations and putting police into rural communities.

On another issue, will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, into the House to tell us when he will change the present legislation on behalf of those who wish to live in rural areas? There are serious injustices in the planning area for those who wish to live in rural communities. I see situations in my county and the Leader must know of situations in County Westmeath too——