Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I expect that in excess of 1 million people watched the "Late Late Toy Show". Members who watched it will recall that the star of the show was a little girl from Limerick who, at a very tender age, experienced what it is like to be on the receiving end of man's inhumanity to man. She and her little brother received horrific burns as a result of an arson attack on their mother's car. The girl to whom I refer is lovable and intelligent and, by her appearance on television, she is no longer a mere statistic of crime. Everyone heard the good news that she and her family were to be moved to a new residence.

I was disappointed to read in one of this morning's newspapers that 50% of the residents on the estate to which the little girl's family is to move have objected to a home being provided for them. I am not criticising the residents, rather I am making an appeal to them. I genuinely believe that if all the residents of the area opened not only their homes but also their hearts to the family in question and held a big welcome party for its members, a message would be sent to the malignant forces in society that evil does not always prevail and that humanity has not been sidelined. Such an event might dilute much of the terrible negativity and the sense of defeat that is prevalent among people at present in respect of community crime. In light of the fact that Christmas is almost upon us, I appeal to the residents to reconsider their position and make the members of the family in question — like those of the first Christian family — feel welcome in their midst.