Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. Perhaps we could have a debate in the not too distant future on anti-social behaviour. Criminality is a problem but, at present, we have anti-social behaviour that is being tested in terms of the age profile of the people doing it and of how the laws apply. There were incidents in the Old Cratloe Road and Caherdavin area of Limerick in which young people going about their business were attacked by youths. Another student was attacked outside Limerick Institute of Technology in the past 12 hours. Perhaps we could have a structured debate on how the anti-social behaviour orders, ASBOs, are working and whether they are fit for purpose. There is a small element engaging in unruly, anti-social behaviour of a severe nature. It is not a case of normal youths engaged in mischief. Perhaps we could invite the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to the House to discuss whether the current system for dealing with anti-social behaviour is fit for purpose.