David Norris (Independent)

I will speak on all of them if I may and we will take it from there as these sections amount to a package of measures. I have some difficulty with the question of anti-social behaviour orders, ASBOs. I recognise that there are unpleasant circumstances in which people, especially old age pensioners and single mothers, have come under a lot of pressure from gangs of young louts. It is not just male louts who are involved. In the case to which I referred the other day, a couple of teenaged girls bit the arm of a policeman in Donegal and he had to be hospitalised. In some circumstances the attacks are most serious and unpleasant but such cases are extreme.

I note that in speaking in the other House, that wily politician, the Taoiseach appeared to want to have it both ways. He stated:

Sometimes the individuals are under age and although we have passed tough laws in this House, whereby drink can be taken from them and whereby they are not allowed to loiter or use their ghettoblasters or motorbikes, some of them still persist to engage in such activities. It is for that reason the Minister has, in this Criminal Justice Bill, adopted what will be regarded by many as a draconian position.

That is what the Taoiseach described as "a draconian position". He also stated:

It is tough to introduce civil orders the breaching of which will be a criminal offence. It will be possible to apprehend those who breach the orders without warrant. These are very tough measures. People will be down to St. Luke's complaining about them. Parents do so now and say their Johnny is getting a rough time from the police. However, the reality is that if young people do not get a bit of a rough time from the police, we will never address these issues.

On the one hand the Taoiseach admitted there was a problem, which we would all recognise, but on the other hand he said this is fairly draconian. He accepts that the measures are tough and draconian. He also referred to the issue of drink. Will the Minister indicate if it is legal for people to drink openly on the street?