Last weekend saw an unparalleled level of security and policing on the streets of Dublin. The Government had an obligation to ensure the security and safety of our citizens and visitors from Europe. The ceremonies were very important. The duty of the Government to enforce law and order applies not only when we have visitors from Europe, but for the other 51 weekends of the year also. An MRBI survey published today shows how unsafe Dublin's streets are after dark. Of every five Dubliners, four do not believe the streets of the city are safe to walk on at night. The level of fear is highest among 15 to 17 year olds, of whom 94% are afraid to venture out after dark. Of this group, half know someone who has been attacked in the city centre in the past 12 months.

Can the Minister for Defence explain on behalf of the Government why resources have not been provided to ensure that the streets of Ireland's capital city are safe at night? Can he explain why 86% of Dublin people believe the Garda presence on our streets is insufficient or offer them any consolation? Does not this statistic point to the broken promise the Government made through the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who is absent from the House, that 2,000 extra gardaí would be provided? Of these, 121 have now been trained. Is this not devastating in its implications for public safety and level of fear felt by visitors and citizens of the capital? What does the Minister have to say about that?

I thank Deputy Kenny for his complimentary remarks on the security services provided over the weekend. I compliment the Garda, the Army, the OPW and everybody else who was involved in ensuring that a major international event passed off with the minimum of difficulty. It augurs very well for the capacity of our security services to deal with whatever lies ahead in this area.

Time is up.

What about the battle of the Navan Road?

Naturally, we are all concerned with the problems of crime which affect our society. Garda strength is at an all-time high.

So is the population.

The commitment given was to be fulfilled over the life-time of the Government. The facilities at the Garda College in Templemore are operating at full stretch to train gardaí. We have invested significantly in the reform of the prison system and the criminal justice system and undertaken unprecedented criminal law reform. There is no room for complacency.

That is good.

The master of the understatement.

We must be alive to the problems we face and the need to continue to make the maximum resources available to the Garda to allow gardaí make our streets and our country as safe as possible.

Where are the 2,000 extra gardaí?

On the basis of our figures, the level of crime is down.

Can the Minister count?

However, it remains at an unacceptably high level.

Last weekend, there were 5,000 gardaí on the streets of Dublin. On St. Patrick's day there were 700 gardaí on duty in Dublin. It is clear that when the Garda is provided with the necessary resources, it can effectively police the city. Responsibility for these matters rests fairly and squarely with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who is not in the Chamber. If Dubliners cannot enjoy the streets of this city after dark, that responsibility is not being met. Incidents of unprovoked violence on the streets of the capital have risen by 300% to 400% in recent years. It is a frightening figure that 94% of 15 to 17 year olds will not venture out after dark. Some 78% of people are frightened of the city at night, 49% of teenagers know a crime victim, 86% of people want more Garda patrols and 56% blame alcohol abuse for violence and unprovoked attacks.

The words of Dublin citizens were published today about the places they would love to walk in and enjoy as facilities on a year-round basis. That is not possible due to what Dubliners say are strange people who hang around, the level of drunkenness in the city centre, dodgy people and potential drug dealers who lurk in different areas. This is the Government's responsibility.

What ever happened to zero tolerance?

Clearly, it represents another broken promise by a Government which told everybody that it would put 2,000 extra gardaí on the streets but has failed completely to protect citizens, including the young men and women of this city, from thugs, villains, unprovoked attacks and violence promoted by alcohol and substance abuse. It is time the Government answered to the people in respect of what it promised to do, but failed miserably to carry out.

Hear, hear.

Provisional figures for 2003 show a cumulative decrease of 2% compared with the corresponding figures for 2002.

Is that what they are having the Minister read out?

The figures in 2002 were up.

Members opposite should listen. Figures for murder are down by 12% on 2002. There has been a decrease of 21% in the number of assaults causing harm, which is particularly welcome as it runs counter to a worrying trend in 2001 and 2002. Public order and intoxicating liquor legislation enacted by the Government has greatly enhanced the power of the Garda to deal with public order offences.

And made no difference to anybody.

A new Garda powers Bill will be introduced in the current session to provide substantial additional powers to gardaí investigating serious crime. The Garda will continue to target the menace of organised crime, particularly through the use of the Criminal Assets Bureau and other new initiatives.

Who prepared the Minister's script?

That will stop them.

It is unfair of Deputy Kenny to present the city in that manner.

Hear, hear.

That is what the people are saying.

There are problems but the greater part of the city is free of crime and people are free to walk about.

Where does the Minister live?

Members can rest assured that the Government and the Garda Síochána will do everything possible to keep it that way.

It is not that kind of city. The Opposition can present it that way but it is not like that.

One is only safe inside the gates of this House.

Two years on, where are the extra 2,000 gardaí?

Deputy Rabbitte, without interruption, please.

The dodgy characters must be Fianna Fáil canvassers.

Deputy Allen's leader put the case on behalf of his party. It is not necessary for the Deputy to contribute.

The Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, must live in Dublin 4 where the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform lives.

Deputies Burton and Howlin should allow their leader to put his question without interruption, please.

So much for zero tolerance.