Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not take long as I have only one question of the Department of Justice. Where is the Department? Where is its statement on what took place on Sunday on the streets of Dublin when homeless refugees' tents were burned? This used to happen years ago to members of my community. Back then, I never saw Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil come out and support the community. I know the Taoiseach made a statement but I am looking for leadership from the Department of Justice. I understand the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has a lot to deal with at the moment. In my opinion, there is no support. Looking in from the outside, I do not see what support the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is getting from the Department of Justice. It is really about showing solidarity and compassion for people. The overall responsibility, whether the Government likes it or not, lies with the Department of Justice. I would like to hear a statement from the Minister and the Department of Justice on what happened last Sunday on our streets. It is not good enough to have one Government Minister say there are enough gardaí on our streets and another Minister say there are not. These are people's lives and homes. Being a member of the Traveller community, I know people who years ago lived in camps and tents. These are people's homes and property we are talking about. I am interested in hearing a statement from the Department of Justice on this matter.