asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the attack last night on families of travelling people by a mob in Clondalkin, County Dublin; and the measures he intends to take to prevent a repetition of such an attack.
Private Notice Question . - Clondalkin (Dublin) Incident .
: I have received a preliminary report from the Garda authorities on this matter. I am informed that in the incidents in question a number of scrap vehicles were pushed on to the road and that a number were set on fire. I understand however that there was no damage to any caravans or serviceable vehicles and that there were no injuries.
The Garda arrived on the scene shortly after receiving the message that there was trouble in the area and, after speaking to those involved, assured the occupants of the caravans that gardaí would remain at the scene during the night. The occupants then returned to their caravans.
I deplore the action taken by the group of men concerned and I can assure the House that the Garda will take whatever steps are practicable to ensure that there will be no recurrence of these incidents.
: While I welcome the statement on behalf of the Minister that he will ensure that there is no repetition of what I would term this type of Ku Klux Klan activity, I am intrigued by the statement that seems to indicate that no arrests were made and no charges are pending. Could the Minister clarify whether charges are pending against those involved in this criminal activity?
: The matter is at the moment being investigated.
: On the question that Deputy Gregory raised, I was horrified when I read this morning——
: A question, Deputy.
: I was horrified this morning when I read in the newspaper what happened in Clondalkin last night to what some people might call our second class citizens.
: The Deputy must frame whatever he has to say in the form of a question.
: I was horrified at what happened. The Minister for Justice and the Minister for the Environment should make the necessary money available——
: The Deputy is out of order. The Deputy cannot make a statement on a question. I am calling the next business.
: The Deputy is coming to a question. You must formulate your thoughts before you ask a question.
: I am quite prepared to have it but it must be a question.
: We backbenchers will have to begin to look at our rights in relation to your attitude to us, Sir.
: I am the last in the world to want to interfere with the rights of anybody, particularly a new Member.
: And backbenchers.
: Some backbenchers are hardy enough to look after themselves.
: When does the Minister for the Environment hope to make the necessary money available for sites for these itinerant people where they cannot be interfered with by people calling themselves vigilante groups or whatever you want to call them? I have been involved with itinerants before coming here.
: I will have to rule the Deputy out of order.
: Is any finance being made available to provide a camping site for itinerants in that area?
: I must point out that the Private Notice Question was dealing with a specific incident which occurred last night. The question the Deputy is putting now is obviously very much a separate question on which the Minister could not be expected to have information in the House.
: I have a final supplementary question. I am still not too clear about the statement made by the Minister. I am aware that the matter is being investigated, but does the Minister consider with the information available to her at this stage that a breach of the law occurred and that people were involved in a criminal activity? Will charges be brought against those involved? Will the Minister assure the House that where people have acted unlawfully charges will be brought against them?
: I think the Minister has stated that the matter is being investigated.
: With your permission, Sir, I am asking for a little further clarification on that to try to establish if the Minister is concerned at the seriousness of what occurred last night and if the Minister will ensure that those involved will be brought to justice.
: I assure the Deputy that the Minister is very concerned. Instituting proceedings is a matter for the Garda and the Director of Public Prosecutions. The matter is being investigated. As it happened yesterday evening no assurance at the moment can be given but certainly it is being seriously investigated.
: I want to seek to raise on the Adjournment the failure of the Government to provide the remainder of the funds for Dublin County Council for the completion of the Southern Cross route.
: The Chair will communicate with Deputy Brennan.