Jim O'Callaghan
Dublin Bay South · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“This relates to section 69 of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann, which amends Schedule 5 to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to add the Courts Service to the Schedule.”
“The first four amendments in this group are minor drafting corrections. They corrected the wording in four places so that the Bill reads consistently. It is changing the word "references" to "a reference". They make no change to the substance or effect of the Bill.”
“The ARP scheme was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the generosity of members of the public who opened their houses, whether in their entirety or through the provision of a room, at their own expense to provide shelter to people displaced by the Ukraine war. The Department of Social Protection administers the scheme on my behalf.”
“I have no doubt it will be challenged, and I have to be able to convince a court, if it is being challenged, that this legislation weighs up conflicting interests and recognises there is a mechanism for somebody who has reformed himself to get off the register.”
“The scheme has been a lifeline for people from Ukraine displaced by the conflict, given high rental market rates and scarcity of rental accommodation.”
“I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the first instance for presiding over these Stages of the legislation. I am very pleased that this legislation has been enacted. I want to thank a few people very briefly. I thank Deputy McAuliffe for introducing me to Jason Poole. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her work on this issue in the Seanad.”
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“That company previously had a contract with my Department for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainians. That contract was terminated this month. The Deputy has correctly pointed out, however, that the company has a contract in place to provide vulnerability assessments. That contract was entered into in September 2024. It was a European-wide contract that was put into the public domain. My Department has done an assessment of all the vetting certificates that have been provided and they have been found to be valid.”
“I thank the Deputy for her questions and, like her, I extend my condolences to those who knew and loved Daniel Aruebose. As the Deputy will be aware, there is an ongoing Garda investigation in respect of that matter. The Garda deserves to be commended on the work it has done to date. It was a very difficult search but, ultimately, the Garda tragically found the remains of the young boy. I urge anyone with information to provide it to An Garda Síochána to ensure the investigation that is ongoing is brought to a conclusion. The Deputy then moved to a question about a company called GoodPeople Homecare. I am aware that an individual who worked for that company was convicted of serious offences before the courts in terms of forging vetting certificates.”
“The Government has not been found wanting when it comes to providing money to resolve this matter via the scheme. A huge amount of money has been made available in the past and more will be available in the future.”
“I will talk to the Minister for housing who has responsibility for this matter. I will raise with him the issues the Deputy has identified. The Deputy stated that there is unethical engineering ongoing in Donegal. If that is the case, there are mechanisms in place to report engineers who are acting unethically. I urge people who believe they are the victims of unethical engineering to use the appropriate mechanism to report engineers involved in that type of activity. We have an institute of engineers in Ireland. That body regulates engineering performance and anyone engaged in unethical behaviour should be brought to its attention. In the context of the issue of defective concrete blocks, from speaking to Deputies McConalogue and Gallagher, I am conscious of the impact this is having in Donegal.”
“The decision by the Government in 2021 was to the effect that applicants under the previous grant scheme would not be disadvantaged from being early movers and would benefit from the increased grant amounts that were available under the current scheme upon its commencement in 2023. This was allowed for in the 2022 Act under transitional provisions, and these early movers have benefited from the increased scheme cap and grant rates provided for. I welcome the Deputy's direct and surgically focused questions. I just wanted to give him those answers as best I could in respect of the matter. I am conscious that he referred to legislation. I am instructed that legislation will be introduced as a priority in the forthcoming term. That is something the Government will give priority to.”
“The points of appeal that are available to an applicant include the validation stage by the local authority, the damage threshold determination made by the Housing Agency, the remediation option and the grant amount approved and where a local authority refused to make a grant payment pursuant to a grant approval. It should be noted the appeals panel is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions. It is independent of the Minister, the Department and, indeed, the Housing Agency. The Deputy's final question was on whether families who were early movers in the scheme were told they would not be disadvantaged. He wants to know if the Government will pass the legislation to ensure that all homeowners receive the uplift in respect of rates and the cap retrospectively.”
“This review will be informed by the current research once the full review of the national standard is complete. The Deputy's second question was on whether the Government would use its ministerial authority to direct the Housing Agency to reinstate original engineering recommendations. In response to that I would say an appeals panel has been established to assess appeals made under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act. The panel offers those affected by decisions made by the Housing Agency and local authorities an opportunity to have their cases assessed by an independent group of industry experts.”
“I thank Deputy Ward very much. I will try to be as succinct in my answers as his questions were. His first was whether or not the Government would use the Public Service Management Act. The answer to the question is "No". The Government will not use it because the defective concrete block grant scheme operates under its own primary legislation and in November 2024, following the receipt of preliminary results from scientific research in Donegal, the Department announced changes to the way the scheme works for certain homeowners. All homeowners who have been given a non-demolition option have been offered a choice of continuing with the work on their dwelling under the option determined or the option of a full technical review of their application by the Housing Agency.”
“We can influence it but we cannot dictate it. She can see what has happened over those horrific 700 days, that people and other countries are gradually coming around to recognising the Irish Government's position is the correct position.”
“As I said, Ireland cannot just dictate to the rest of Europe or, indeed, the rest of the world what foreign policy decisions should be made.”
“It is in priority legislation and will be enacted and certainly introduced into the Oireachtas this term. I wish to make one important point that is sometimes not emphasised enough. The entity responsible for the genocide in Gaza is the Israeli Government. We all need to point that out and state it repeatedly. Rather than criticising the Irish Government for narrow domestic political purposes, the Deputy should acknowledge the very real efforts that have been made by the Irish Government to support Palestine. She inquired as to what else is being done. We have made responses in respect of the cases that are before the International Criminal Court. We have provided €90 million. We have tried to influence our international partners.”
“We are an influential country but all we can do is use our reputation and influence to try to get others to follow our example. We can see that, to date, this has been done. When we look at the cases that were taken at the International Criminal Court, again, Ireland intervened in respect of them. The Deputy can criticise the Government. When we look at this matter objectively internationally, however, we can see that the Irish Government is one of the most vociferous supporters of the Palestinian people and is standing up to the genocide that is happening in Gaza.”
“We now know that other countries are considering and introducing such a measure. That Bill has been very effective from Ireland's point of view in terms of putting the Israel-EU trade agreement on the agenda. Like everyone else in this House, the Deputy is aware of the historical alliances that exist between Israel and certain countries in the European Union. We can do very little about that, but the pressure Ireland has put on is having an impact. We can see that the EU-Israel trade agreement is coming under consideration. I am hopeful - and I know the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are hopeful - that when it comes to suspension of that agreement, measures will be taken. Of course, they should have been taken many years ago. However, Ireland is a small country.”
“Like the Deputy, I was very pleased to hear at the weekend that so many other countries, including Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and Australia have decided to recognise the Palestinian state. Very many of these countries are small European countries. They have followed the example that Ireland set when, we along with Spain and Norway, decided that we would recognise a Palestinian state. There was huge pressure on the Irish Government not to do that, but we did it because it was the right thing to do. We can see that the example set by Ireland is being followed by other EU countries. On the proposals regarding trade between Israel and the EU, when Ireland advocated that we should introduce an occupied territories Bill at European Union level, there was very little support.”
“What is happening in Gaza is horrific slaughter. It is not just me, the Deputy and every other Member of this House saying that. We saw recently that a United Nations independent commission has ruled that what Israel is doing in Gaza is committing genocide. Many people in Ireland feel a sense of helplessness in the context of what can be done in response to it. My view is that this Government has done more than any other government in the world in response to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. If we look around the world, what stands out is the fact that so many countries, including many Arab countries, have done so little for the cause of the Palestinians in Gaza. In contrast, Ireland has led the way, not just in Europe but also internationally.”
“Each local authority has received its individual allocation. The Deputy will be pleased to hear that Dublin City Council is the highest at €95 million for 2025. Local authorities are being provided with significant amounts of money and the Government wants to see them buying properties.”
“As I said to Deputy McDonald, when the Labour Party produces its budget proposals, we will take them into account and the Government will give them consideration. I have no doubt that will happen in respect of that matter. On what the Deputy said about the tenant in situ scheme, she should be aware that on 4 March last, the Government decided on a total of €325 million for second-hand social housing acquisitions this year. That is not a feeble effort; it is a hugely significant amount of money that the Government has made available. The funding allocations approach was a change from the approach in 2023 and 2024, when local authorities were issued with a guide number of acquisitions. The purpose of it is to allow local authorities to negotiate the acquisition costs with vendors and landlords and achieve the best value for money.”
“When we add the housing assistance payment and rental accommodation scheme data, we see that 2,712 housing supports were delivered in quarter 1 of 2025. The Deputy also mentioned the tenant in situ scheme. That scheme has worked. It has worked throughout the country. I note there will sometimes be issues in respect of Dublin, but the measure------”
“We need to get them back into operation so families can get back into them. The years 2023 and 2024 saw the delivery of newly built social housing reach levels not seen since the 1970s, with almost 16,000 social homes built over those two years. We are aware, and I am sure the Deputy is also, that our population is increasing very significantly. The population increased in the 12 months up to April 2024 by 98,000. This is putting huge pressures on the system. We have to recognise that although the Government is making a considerable effort and getting a lot of social housing developed, there will be issues because of the population rise.”
“-----and alleviate the issue in respect of housing. We have repeatedly stated that the most effective way of getting people off the homelessness and housing lists is to ensure a greater supply of housing in our society, and available housing. Although the Deputy can criticise the Government for the amount, we have stated that this is our commitment. When you look at the figures produced, you can see definite progress in respect of it. Between July 2020 and the end of quarter 1 of 2025, 48,939 social homes were added to the social housing stock. That is a very significant number and cannot be ignored. Also, more than 13,100 homes were brought back into use under the voids programme. The Deputy will know from having been a TD for the city of Dublin that there are too many voids in Dublin, which means houses unused.”
“The Deputy is not the only one aware of the impact it is having on children and families. Although she displays great empathy, I have not heard any practical solutions from her on how we can improve-----”
“I thank Deputy Bacik for her question. Obviously, child poverty is an enormous issue in this country and an enormous one that the Government wishes to respond to. The Deputy will have heard the Taoiseach, and indeed the Tánaiste, say that child poverty will be at the centre of the budget that is forthcoming and will be announced two weeks from now. I can understand why the Deputy wishes me to give information in respect of the budget that is forthcoming in two weeks. I cannot do that. We are just going to have to wait to realise what the content is when it is announced. However, the Deputy can be sure – the Government will be adamant about this – that tackling child poverty is a central aim. The Deputy talks about the impact the housing crisis is having on children. We are fully aware of that.”
“-----when Sinn Féin did not support those measures at the time we announced them on a previous budget day. Let us consider the VAT rate on energy costs. We have retained the 9% rate. That will be dealt with on budget day and we will wait to hear what will be announced. I am not going to pre-announce the budget. What I will do, and what I assure the Deputy that the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers will also do, is read carefully Sinn Féin's budget submission. If there are good proposals in it, they will give them consideration. If there are not, and it is just populist outrage, they will ignore them, as they should.”
“I do not announce the budget terms two weeks before the budget is announced. We will all have the opportunity to hear the budget two weeks from now when it is announced by the Ministers for Finance and public expenditure. On hard-pressed families, the Deputy has not responded to the issues I have raised about the measures we have taken in the past.”
“----- and brought forward by the Minister, Helen McEntee. The Deputy might not like the fact that a huge number of measures have been taken by this Government to relieve pressure on hard-pressed families. The fact of the matter is that any fair assessment of what is being done shows that this is being done by this Government. I must say that the Deputy's concern about what is going to happen in the forthcoming budget is misplaced. I assure her that the Government will be placing hard-pressed families at the centre of its deliberations. I look forward to seeing Sinn Féin's budget proposals to see what it is putting forward. I will be interested to see if it will again adopt the measures we introduced previously and which it denigrated when we introduced them.”
“I assure the Deputy that when the Government comes to announce the budget two weeks from now there will be measures in it that will have hard-pressed families at the centre of considerations. We also need to look at the fact that parents of schoolchildren have been given considerable support by this Government. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, which is paid out over the summer months, has been extended to foster carers for the first time. Parents who have schoolgoing children at present do not have to pay for schoolbooks because of measures that were introduced by the Minister, Norma Foley-----”
“This decision was further supported by the announcement made in June by the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, of a 40% reduction in the renewable electricity PSO levy for 2025 and 2026. Also, from September, there will be a significant increase in the number of people who qualify for the fuel allowance. In terms of other pressures that people are under, and other costs, at the beginning of June the carers' support grant increased to €2,000, which is its highest level ever. That benefited some 138,000 carers. Last week the income level disregard increased for the carer's allowance. This Government has therefore introduced a whole range of measures in the past.”
“They were very effective at a time when there were very high energy prices and inflation was out of control. Fortunately, we are now in a position where inflation has come down. Let us be clear that this Government will continue to introduce measures in respect of the forthcoming budget that will have hard-pressed families at the centre of them. My colleagues, Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe, will have that at the forefront of their considerations when it comes to the measures contained within the budget. The Deputy will note that in April we decided to extend the VAT reduction to 9% on gas and electricity, a measure that will save households €70 for gas and €55 for electricity.”
“-----and indeed 24 months ago. In budget 2025, a wide range of measures were introduced which had the effect of protecting members of the public from the excessive costs that were arising as a result of inflation. We introduced an increased payment in respect of the rent tax credit; it went up from €1,000 to €2,000. There was the extension of the 9% reduced VAT rate for gas and electricity. That very real measure was introduced for the purpose of ensuring we reduced the cost of energy for householders. We also saw the extension of mortgage interest relief until the end of 2025 and the €300 lump sum payment in respect of the fuel allowance. That is not even getting to the double-month child benefit payment. The Deputy is correct in stating that there were two €125 electricity credits for households.”
“-----when it comes to addressing the difficult circumstances that members of the public find themselves in as a result of cost-of-living pressures? It is important to point out that this Government has done a huge amount in respect of those cost-of-living pressures. By looking at what was done in budget 2025, the Deputy is invoking those measures today as a means of assisting people. She was not so supportive of those measures when we announced them 12 months ago-----”
“We need to specify that a court cannot go down the route of engaging with a judicial review if there is an internal statutory appeal process available to an applicant under a statutory scheme. At present, with the greatest of respect to the other branch of Government, the Judiciary, we need to specify more precisely when the courts can intervene in judicial review. At present it is far too broadly available. I want to see a system whereby judicial review challenges are expedited and there are very specific grounds upon which it can be challenged, namely, the decision-making process was impacted and the basis for it will be set out in legislation.”
“I will certainly speak to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, in respect of when it is intended to commence them. Regarding the judicial review legislation that I intend to bring forward, it may not be enacted in time to deal with the Dublin drainage project; although sometimes when you look at the length of time these infrastructural projects take it may very well have an opportunity to deal with it. However, that legislation will put on a statutory basis the type of orders that can be made in judicial review applications. It is all very archaic in terms of orders of certiorari and mandamus . We need to set out what a court can do. We need to set out what the court has to take into consideration in its granting of any judicial review.”
“First, on the bespoke legislation in respect of the drainage project, obviously that would be legislation coming from a different Department to the Department of justice. I have not given consideration to it. I hear what the Taoiseach had to say on it but that is a matter that would obviously have to come from the Minister for housing in respect of bespoke legislation. As the Deputy will no doubt appreciate however, introducing a piece of legislation to, in effect, determine the outcome of litigation that is put before the courts, can be subject to frailty. We need to be careful about that. I would like to see the planning Acts commenced as soon as possible. A huge amount of time in the previous Oireachtas was devoted to those Acts. We got them through the Houses of the Oireachtas and they should be commenced promptly.”
“They must be directly affected by it as opposed to just an individual coming along, taking a challenge on the basis that they have a general interest in it. That is why I have decided to ensure that this general scheme is published. Deputy Geoghegan mentioned a couple of other matters in respect of the planning Act and the Aarhus rules on costs and I have had discussions in my Department about that. As I am sure he will appreciate, that is a matter predominantly for the Department of housing but when it comes to judicial review we will introduce new legislation that will complement and sit alongside the provisions within the planning Act.”
“As the Deputy will appreciate, and as I appreciate, people are entitled to bring challenges before our courts but what we should seek to do, and what this civil reform legislation will seek to do in respect of judicial review, is try to rebalance the different sides in that argument. We need to ensure there is legislation in place that recognises and places a statutory obligation on a court to take into account the public interest and common good being served by a major infrastructural project. That is something that needs specific statutory recognition. There should also be some statutory recognition of the fact that a person who is challenging, by way of a judicial review, a project needs to have some direct impact or interest in the project itself.”
“As has been indicated by the Deputy, one of the biggest challenges facing the State is the delivery of critical infrastructure and affordable housing for our people. The greater Dublin drainage project is an example of that critical infrastructure. Despite the Government's significant efforts and what has to be recognised as an unprecedented allocation of resources to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects that would improve the living standards of people in our community, we find that many of these projects, which are both urgent and necessary, find themselves delayed because of judicial review applications, many of them in circumstances where there is an internal statutory appeal. The effect of it is that very many of the projects are delayed for significant periods because of judicial review applications.”
“I am pleased to say that preparatory work is proceeding expeditiously and I hope to be in a position at some stage, probably next month, to publish the heads of the Bill and go to the Government to seek permission to draft, on a priority basis, legislation that would be entitled a civil reform Bill. As Deputy Geoghegan is aware, President Kelly produced a very fine report back in December 2020. I am not prepared to let that report sit on the shelves. It needs to be given statutory effect. As Deputy Geoghegan will be aware, many aspects of it relate more generally to the area of civil litigation, such as discovery and trying to give greater powers to the precedents. They are issues I hope to see included in the Bill. Also within the Bill, however, will be a part dealing with judicial review.”
“I thank Deputy Geoghegan for raising this extremely important matter. He started his contribution by referring to the greater Dublin drainage project, which is an absolutely critical project not just for the people in the constituencies we share but indeed for the whole Dublin area. Deputy Geoghegan's specific concern is what can be done to ensure unmeritorious judicial review applications brought before the courts can be prevented or short-circuited in some way to ensure the common good and public interest in such a project is represented and protected by the State. I agree with the sentiments he is expressing. What I have indicated to my Department, and the authority I received from Government on 15 July last, was that I was given permission to prepare the general scheme of a civil reform Bill.”
“There is a lot of legislation on the book at present to deal with this type of antisocial behaviour, whether it is the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the public order Act 1994, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 or the theft and fraud Act. There are mechanisms available. If further legislative intervention is required, we will consider it. We do have to recognise, however, that this is a complex issue to respond to. I welcome the fact we are debating it here but we need that broader approach of education, policing and trying to get parents involved to ensure that we do not get young people on the path to criminality. The Minister of State, Deputy Collins, will stay here to deal with any responses.”
“Community gardaí are a bit like a very successful local politician; they know their community and do their work on the ground. The youth diversion projects also work with schools and local communities. My Department liaises with the Department of Education and Youth to promote initiatives that encourage pro-social behaviour among our young people. Almost €48 million was allocated under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme in 2024. Budget 2025 secured an increase of 7%, so the funding is now €50.7 million. Money and resources are being allocated to deal with these children who are involved in antisocial behaviour. I also take into account what Deputy Gogarty said about further legislation.”
“By the end of this year, once we introduce the youth diversion projects in north Tipperary and east Clare, there will be full coverage of youth diversion projects across the country. This will be a significant achievement. I am aware that Members rightly want to focus on the antisocial behaviour and criminal activity of a small group, but there is availability there to resolve it by trying to get those kids into youth diversion programmes. Deputy Fitzmaurice is right about local gardaí, and I think Deputy Collins said this as well, who play a central role. Having been in the job for nearly eight months now, my assessment of An Garda Síochána is that they do have this local knowledge. In places I go around the country, to Garda stations in Ballylinan, Carlow or Gorey, the gardaí have a good local knowledge.”
“One of the many things mentioned here related to imposing responsibilities on the parents to a greater extent. Section 98 of the Children Act 2001 provides for a whole variety of sanctions that can be imposed by a court on children who are offenders and on the parents of those children as well. I am asking my Department to look at this again to ensure that the courts are aware and do in fact have a range of options available to them. It is important to note that the Department funds 93 youth diversion projects that are community-based multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives designed to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in antisocial behaviour.”
“One of the things I have noticed since I became the Minister for justice is all the excellent work being done in youth diversion programmes, and there is a lot of excellent work being done by the Probation Service. They probably do not publicise it enough - we do not get to hear about it enough - but a huge number of young people who get involved in the pathway of antisocial behaviour or criminal activity are diverted from it by the youth diversion initiatives. The Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, is beside me here and he plays a very central role in respect of that. A suite of interventions is available within the system, ranging from engagement with the diversion projects to the bail supervision scheme, the young person's probation and community sanctions. The Government has committed to a review of the Children Act.”
“People will be aware that under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, there will be 36 local community safety partnerships. These will play a central role in ensuring that local communities and the Garda are informed about where resources need to be targeted in order to confront antisocial behaviour. Members here will be aware of the community safety fund. It is a very significant asset. In 2024, over €3 million was allocated to projects nationwide. Themes from the 2024 successful applicants included projects aimed at addressing antisocial behaviour, domestic violence, drug-related intimidation and social inclusion. I believe it was Deputy Fitzmaurice who mentioned that we need youth diversion programmes.”
“At present there are 3,675 civilian staff in An Garda Síochána. We have also made changes by increasing the age at which people can be recruited into An Garda Síochána. It used to be the case that a person had to be under 35. Now a person can apply for the job up to the age of 50 and we have extended mandatory retirement to 62. A new Garda recruitment campaign was launched at the Ploughing Championships by the Garda Commissioner and me on Tuesday. I would ask people to consider a career in the force. It is a very worthwhile career. It is a job in the public service and when people join the force, they very much enjoy it. Other things that are being done include the establishment of community safety partnerships and increasing the community safety innovation fund to support that roll-out.”
“-----and it would be inappropriate for a Minister for justice to do so. The Garda Commissioner does take into account what the operational needs are in certain areas, and that is why he decides where the new recruits should be allocated. We will all work together to ensure we can get more gardaí into our communities. It is also important to point out that the 2025 budget provided an unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 27% increase since 2020. The funding allows for the continued recruitment of gardaí. As I said, at present we have approximately 14,276 gardaí. The Deputy is right that we need to get them out into the community. Part of the way we can achieve that is by recruiting more civilian staff into the force to do the work that can be done by civilians.”
“If I can get 200 as an intake into Templemore four or even five times a year, we will find ourselves getting the numbers up significantly in An Garda Síochána. At present we have 14,250 in the force. I want to see us get to 15,000. If we can get the good recruitment up and we get around 200 coming in from each intake, that will be very significant. I heard what Deputy Collins said about west Cork. In many instances he can blame his colleague behind him, Deputy O'Flynn, because 20 gardaí went to Cork city from the recruits who came out in August.”
“It is important to point out that many things are being done to ensure that we can get on top of this issue of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity by people under 18 years of age or slightly over that age. As mentioned by Deputy Fitzmaurice, the most effective way of ensuring we have safe communities is to have a highly visible Garda presence in our communities. I am pleased to say that recruitment of members into the force is going in the right direction. I was at a passing-out ceremony in Templemore in August where 154 new recruits passed out. When we go up there in November, we are going to get to 200 recruits passing out then. Twice already this year, the intake into Templemore has been around the figure of 200.”
“We have a situation in Ireland where it is a pretty peaceful country. People might ask, "Where do you get that statistic from?" I get it from a global index of peacefulness throughout the world. The index that came out for 2025 indicated that Ireland was second in terms of peacefulness after Iceland. Notwithstanding this, I am conscious that this is no comfort to people who are subjected to consistent antisocial behaviour or criminal activity. It is for that reason the Government is very determined to tackle antisocial behaviour. The reason we are not opposing this motion is that very many of the proposals set forward by Deputy Gogarty in his motion are proposals we agree with and which we will seek to implement through the programme for Government.”
“It can result in people suffering from physical violence, theft of personal property, destruction of shared amenities or spaces and more hidden harms including individual or collective trauma, reluctance to report future incidents to the authorities for fear of retaliation and diminished feelings of pride or acceptance in one's local community. That was very apparent to me from what Deputy Gogarty described as the instance he encountered in his community. It is important to emphasise, however, that the people involved in this type of behaviour are a small minority of people. I accept that their impact can be significant but in general most people in Ireland, and indeed most people under 18 years of age, are respectful and they recognise that Ireland should be, and remains, a safe community.”