Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Garda Síochána on a very important issue. Strict and simple enforcement of our public house licensing laws has thrown up an important and interesting statistic. In the town of Drogheda in recent months, arising out of Garda enforcement of the licensing laws, there was a 42% drop in street violence and anti-social behaviour in the early hours of the morning. If that could be replicated throughout towns and cities many parents would sleep happy in their beds. It is important that the matter is recognised and that we should hold a debate on it in the next session. Simple enforcement of getting people out of public houses and clubs at the time they are supposed to leave has resulted in a significant drop in street violence. While it is not zero tolerance, it is the type of action I would like to see replicated throughout the country.