Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask that we respectfully request the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, to come to the House to debate antisocial behaviour and protecting our local communities. I make that request cognisant that there are many reasons for antisocial behaviour. I am a member of the joint policing committee in Cork city and it has become clear there has been an increase in antisocial behaviour. This issue is becoming a concern not just in our capital city but also in Cork and other parts of the country.

I want to have that debate with the Minister, while being conscious that 800 extra gardaí were promised in the budget and there has also been an increase of €6.7 million in the budget for the youth justice system in respect of youth diversion projects. This issue, however, does not just concern young people and youth diversion projects. It is about ensuring we tackle the scourge of antisocial behaviour. Documentary evidence captured by the "Prime Time" programme and anecdotal information we have received ourselves demonstrate we must tackle this issue. In doing so, a joined-up approach must be adopted by a combination of Departments and organisations.

I ask, therefore, that we have a debate on this issue at the Minister’s earliest convenience to allow us to discuss how to eliminate the element of fear many people now feel regarding coming into our capital city. Equally, that element of fear is similarly felt when people are walking about the streets of their own towns and my city of Cork and other large urban areas. I hope this debate would take place over time, that it would be a rolling discussion, and that we would bring in and involve other Ministers.