Does the Taoiseach appreciate the fear of violence, particularly street violence, now pervasive across the country? Apart from the deaths of the gardaí to whom we have paid tribute, does the Taoiseach realise that in the past week alone there were four violent deaths in Dublin? A young man was stabbed in Tallaght, a young man was killed in a brawl in Portmarnock, a man was shot dead in Blanchardstown and a man was murdered in St. Stephen's Green across from the Shelbourne Hotel in the middle of the day. Does the Taoiseach appreciate that many young men are in hospital, some of whom were kicked into a coma during street violence? Does he realise that parents in all urban centres throughout the country are afraid to let their children go into town? Does he realise that young men and women are reluctant to go out to their normal places to socialise because of the fear of random violence? Does he realise that young women, who were afraid to walk home after dark, are now afraid to go out during the day when places, such as St. Stephen's Green, are no longer safe in broad daylight?
Against that background, does the Taoiseach agree that the zero tolerance campaign was a slogan substituting for a policy? Does he agree it was a con and a charade and that no real policies have been put in place by the Government? The proof is the fact that assaults causing grievous bodily harm increased by 131% in the year 2000 and are still increasing, while the Administration in its dying days continues to stand idly by and do nothing about it.