Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to the House and I thank him for laying out his thoughts on this motion. I am happy to say that the Fianna Fáil group will be supporting it, as we have supported all the previous measures brought before this House in recent weeks to tackle gangland crime. We have all been shocked and horrified at the events since last February, in particular, and most recently the shooting in Lusk in north County Dublin of a gentleman, who thankfully survived that shooting, but many people have been horrified that people are being shot and killed in broad daylight. An innocent man was caught up in gangland crime and it is only a matter of time before there will be a fatality unless this is tackled head on.

The Government has proposed some sensible motions to deal with that and we are happy to support them. I was also happy to hear the Minister of State say that he is making efforts to address issues in other areas in the north inner city with measures such as the early intervention programmes for children, addressing educational disadvantage, job creation and improving the physical environment, as it is important there should be green spaces, adequate housing and clean and safe streets for children to play on and people to walk. I am very happy to support this motion. It is proportionate in the face of the threat that is facing Dublin and the country, as we have seen it spill out beyond Dublin. I am happy to report that our group we will be supporting the motion.