Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Dolan, I express my congratulations to Gaillimh on its great win, and to Armagh. It will be a sensational all-Ireland football final. Of course, the hurling final will be played between the Cathaoirleach's county and County Clare. The combinations are a bit different this year, which will make for two good all-Ireland finals.

I will briefly return to the issue of crime in rural areas. I will speak about an issue I have been reluctant to talk about. Over recent months, I have come under enormous pressure on the issue of antisocial behaviour in Ballinasloe. Galway County Council works hard to allocate housing to people but when it allocates the housing, the people who are going to be the tenants will not take it up because of antisocial behaviour in the area. People do not want their children to grow up in those surroundings. It is appalling. I investigated myself and the antisocial behaviour is out of control. I do not like saying that. Community policing needs to be looked at. I spoke last week about the Minister coming into the House in September. We need that to happen.

As Oireachtas Members, we all have a responsibility. I am not having a go at the Minister, as I said last week. This is not me having a go at the Minister. As Oireachtas people, we have a responsibility and a duty to speak out on these issues. In parts of Ballinasloe, Galway County Council has allocated housing to people but those people have told me they cannot move into those areas. There are serious issues with alcohol and drug abuse and people are telling me that they cannot be expected to bring up their children in those types of surroundings. As I said, I investigated myself and it is happening. We must speak out on these issues. It is appalling that houses in some of our towns are being left closed up because of antisocial behaviour. We must tackle the issue. In September, we should seek a meeting with the Minister in the Chamber to discuss those issues.