David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I thank the Leader and the Minister of State for their contributions. A number of members of the residents association are in the Visitors Gallery and will be grateful for the Minister of State's comments.

The figures speak for themselves. That 126 public disorder-type incidents have been reported to the Garda shows the extent of the problem. Will the Minister of State revert to the Minister on the matter of constant house parties on the estate? On a weekly basis, large gatherings of 60 or more people play loud, banging music and drink on the streets. The law needs to change to enable the Garda to be able to better police communities. The Minister needs to examine the gap in the legislation. While gardaí visit the estates and co-operate with residents, the latter often find that the gardaí do not get out of their cars and what are termed "paddy wagons" and do not confront people. Perhaps this is because they do not have the necessary powers or resources.

I commend all of the people who are trying their best to address the problem. Where there are constant house parties, we cannot hide behind the claim that the same occurs everywhere. It does not occur everywhere three or four days per week for six or seven months of the year, so it should not be allowed to go on in the housing estate in question. The Garda should be allocated increased resources and powers to address these serious issues.