John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The statistics show that people living in the greater Dublin area are more likely to be victims of burglary, while the Border counties and south west have the lowest rate. One cannot make up one's own statistics, including on Galway. The statistics do not bear out the Senator's argument. It is in the Dublin area, as opposed to rural areas, that crimes are more likely to be carried out. To suggest otherwise is being dishonest and it is worrying people when there is no need to terrify them. Of course, we all have concerns about crime that are legitimate but the statistics show a yearly decrease for the past ten years. Therefore, we should be careful and a little more cautious in the language we use. Let us not scare the people we claim to represent.