Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the ownership an tAire has taken of this issue since he took office. It is welcome that he proposes to introduce exclusion orders and that he is preparing the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to introduce a defence of retail defamation. I acknowledge the work of An Garda Síochána under Operation Táirge; the more than 8,000 arrests last year are welcome. However, the Minister acknowledged that the low level, insidious, casual, opportunistic shoplifting has a really corrosive effect. Although An Garda may have made more than 8,000 arrests, there is a role for the courts to play in this as well in sentencing and prosecuting those crimes. I urge the Minister to engage with the courts and impress upon them the importance and severity of the impact of the issue on our communities.

I acknowledge the increased presence of gardaí in my area and across the capital, which is welcome. I am not suggesting the job is done, but it is welcome and the people of Dublin Central and across the capital welcome their presence and are supportive of the new gardaí who have come to the capital. We hope they stay here for a long time to come.