Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for giving me the right time to speak. Over the last two or three days, we saw on social media what happened in Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot. I want to put on the record that these young people are not scumbags, thugs or low lifes in society. They have been failed time and again. Their parents and their grandparents have been failed by the State, by previous Governments and, unfortunately, by this Government.

Instead of this House and the media calling these young people names, we should invest in young people. By calling them names and feeding into it, we drive young people further into poverty and away from society. We should not do that. I know Ballyfermot. I went to school in that area. With all my heart, I say that Ballyfermot is the loveliest community in all of Ireland, even though Senator Ruane might think it is Tallaght. For me, it is genuinely Ballyfermot. People would give you the coat off their back. I ask that we invest in services, including the Ballyfermot Youth Service, the Ballyfermot FamiliBase and schools, to support young people. I ask that we have a Garda presence in our communities to stop what is going on. I know, as a person who was born and reared in Ballyfermot, that we are not all bad people there. If we were not failed by the State and had good services put in place, with good outcomes and jobs for people in this area, we would not see what we have seen over the last few days.

On another note, I welcome a young Traveller man who is on placement at the moment. He is not in my office, because I am not good enough for him, but he is with the Ceann Comhairle. He is there today and will be there next Wednesday. I welcome the opportunity for young members of the Traveller community to have placements here in our Parliament. His name is James Stokes. He said to Senator Conway earlier that he is going to be the Taoiseach. I hope that James will continue to go into politics after hopefully having a positive experience here in our Parliament.