Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday evening the body of a man was found in a burning car in Lucan. Subsequent reports suggest the man was shot before the car was set on fire.It seems to be yet another gangland-related murder. It should serve as a reminder to every person in this city and country of how poor our Government is and how badly it deals with increasing crime levels and out-of-control criminals. How many times have I raised gun crime, knife crime, stabbings and shootings in the capital?

I know the Minister for Justice and Equality was busy yesterday not dealing with gangland crime or tackling these criminals but using his position to help a by-election candidate in Wexford. Does he know how many gangland-related murders have happened on his watch? Just like housing and health, the Government's on crime in Dublin and in the country is appallingly poor. It is failing people miserably when it comes to tackling law and order issues in the capital and on our borders. From anti-social behaviour and home burglaries to these murders, there seems to be no respect for the rule of law because the Government is letting these criminals get away with it. I call on the Minister to come to the House to address this issue and what he is doing about the increase in crime.

On Saturday, I attended a day of action with parents in Dublin 12 to support their efforts to progress their campaign for autism supports for their children. More than 80 children in the Dublin 12 area have not had formal in-school education. The Minister for Education and Skills admitted last week that there are serious discrepancies and inadequacies in autism spectrum disorder, ASD, supports for children, especially because of the lack of specialised units in mainstream schools. There is a notion that schools may have to be forced to provide supports under section 37 of the new Act. Last Saturday, we campaigned outside Scoil Colm on Armagh Road. This is a beautiful large school, which is now closed and lying empty. It would be perfect to retrofit for the use of the children of Dublin 12 who need a specialist school with ASD supports. I call on the Minister to come to the House to address exactly what he plans to do to help these children. We have let them down. It is devastating to listen to parents who are at home day in, day out with children, while their neighbour's children are going to school. Their children are not getting the formal education that we promised and that they deserve.

I wish all of my male colleagues in the Chamber a happy International Men's Day.