Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

My party held more than 50 meetings nationwide over 18 months ago on the issue of anti-social behaviour. We came across horrendous cases of neighbours from hell at nearly all of those meetings. We all hear of such cases but do not witness them unless we have to live next to such people. In estates throughout the country it is often one family or extended family causing much of the trouble. We need the existing law to be enforced along with the introduction of new law. However, there is no point in making laws if we do not give the resources to the Garda to implement them. We must provide communications systems that work and much more to enforce the law.

Senator Norris, probably correctly, said he could determine where the majority of ASBOs will be issued in Dublin. I could do likewise in Waterford and I am sure it is the same in many areas. I hope these areas are not seen as a soft target. There are many other residential estates where people causing trouble for neighbours, elderly and otherwise, need a slap on the wrist. I support the concept of restorative justice and the pilot schemes around the country are working reasonably well. I agree with the expansion of the juvenile liaison system and believe it is necessary. Such changes do not derive solely from this Bill. The Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Act 2003 provides for community policing and the policing committees that will be coming into force. Marrying these pieces of legislation will, hopefully, solve the major problem of anti-social behaviour. We fully support many of the measures contained in this legislation and several were contained in our own policy documents. I take on board the points made by Senators Norris and Henry. A balance must be struck in the area of anti-social behaviour.