Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the votes of sympathy to the families of Senator Henry, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and former Senator Éamon de Buitléar. I presume we will have a debate on the death of Detective Garda Donohoe at a later stage.

I was going to raise a matter last December and, having listened to the radio travelling up here today, I think it is appropriate that I should refer to it now. In Amsterdam, the mayor and city council have established what the Dutch newspapers are calling "scum villages". This arises with regard to what is happening in Ennis. Anti-social behaviour is being replicated in every town and village in Ireland. Amsterdam and other areas in the Netherlands are moving repeat offenders out of their houses into Portakabins or ship containers. They are then moved to an area outside the town where they are supervised 24/7 by social workers and the police. They are not allowed to leave these areas until they learn to behave properly.

I am asking the Leader for a debate on sentencing. Last week, we saw a high-profile case on sentencing. Anti-social behaviour is a blight on every community and is terrifying decent people. We may not establish what the Dutch newspapers refer to as "scum villages", but the only way to control these people is through their pockets. I do not know what fines are collected in this regard.