Last year's crime figures make for very sobering reading. Right across the country, people are experiencing big problems with criminality and anti-social behaviour. People in towns and villages across rural Ireland live in fear of burglary and break-ins and this, in turn, has a devastating effect on community and family life. Knife and drug crime are now a daily concern and, indeed, a daily reality for people living in our cities. It is very sad that encountering crime has become normalised for so many of our citizens. It is not too much to ask to be able to walk safely down one's street or to be able to sleep soundly in one's bed. It is not too much to ask that young people can go out to enjoy themselves at night and come home safely.

All of us have the right to go about our business and our lives with a basic sense of security. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree. I will reflect on the realities of Dublin's north inner city. The figures reported today show that the crime rate for this area is five times higher than the national rate. As the Taoiseach knows well, the north inner city is home to the very finest of people, families and communities. They certainly do not deserve to be afflicted with, or to be worn down by, criminals and anti-social elements. The people of the north inner city should not have to constantly fight for the ownership of their communities. They should not live with the scourge of criminals who thrive on the misery and fear of families. I want to be very clear; crime is not unique to Dublin nor the north inner city. One only has to pick up a local newspaper in any part of the country to understand how crime impacts communities in every single county.

These figures raise very serious questions in respect of the resourcing of An Garda Síochána and raise serious questions of the Minister for Justice and Equality and of the Taoiseach, as Head of Government. It is clear that the north inner city deserves much better and that we need a more proactive approach not only in that part of the city, but right across the State. The Government cannot simply turn away. We need to agree that there is no acceptable level of crime anywhere. I am sure that when the Taoiseach saw these figures today he was just as shocked as I was. I am sure that he is as sincerely concerned for families in the north inner city as I am. Concern, however, will only go so far. We now need action. There are things the Taoiseach could do now, in the immediate term, that would help this community and others.

Why are we still waiting for the reopening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station? It is still closed despite being situated in the area that has a crime rate five times higher than that of other areas across the State. Why was the north inner city community policing forum, which was the go-to place for the community to engage with An Garda Síochána, closed down last June? Will the Taoiseach commit to reopening this forum without delay? Will he tell us now when Fitzgibbon Street Garda station will be reopened?

I thank the Deputy. It is worth acknowledging that we live in a country that has a relatively low crime rate compared with other developed countries and we are fortunate to do so. In large part, that is down to the excellent work of An Garda Síochána every day of the week. Were it not for An Garda Síochána, we would not live in a country that has a low crime rate. I agree with the Deputy that there is no acceptable level of crime. I know the north inner city well. As the Deputy knows, I worked there for a period. I have visited on many occasions and still visit regularly. The area is full of great people and good communities. These people do not deserve to ever be victimised by criminals in their communities.

A British Prime Minister once said that the best policy approach to crime is to be tough on the causes of crime and to be tough on crime itself. I agree with that philosophy. When it comes to being tough on the causes of crime, we can see a key initiative being undertaken by the Government in the north-east inner city. It was started by my forebear, Deputy Enda Kenny, and subsequently continued. The Deputy has welcomed the initiative, with which she is very familiar. It is a good example of how Government, Government agencies and local authorities can come together to target an area of deprivation to help prevent future crimes.

We also need to be tough on crime, however. That is why, under my leadership since I became Taoiseach, An Garda Síochána has become better resourced than ever. Some €1.7 billion is allocated to An Garda Síochána every year, which is the biggest budget it has ever had. We have restored Garda recruitment with hundreds of extra gardaí being added to the force all the time. We are investing in vehicles, equipment and ICT and, led by the Garda Commissioner, we are reforming the organisation to ensure greater civilianisation to allow more gardaí to be on the street, where people want them, rather than in administrative positions behind desks. That is all under way and I am sure we will see demonstrable results.

With regard to the Deputy's specific question about Fitzgibbon Street Garda station, the Government has committed to reopening the station as part of the plan for the north-east inner city. I do not know why it has not been opened yet or what the timelines are, but I will find out and get back to the Deputy. I will do the same with regard to the policing forum.

I agree with the Taoiseach that it is not only about zero tolerance for crime and criminality but also zero tolerance for poverty, exclusion and the scourge of addiction. On that point we agree. It is beyond explanation that we are still waiting for Fitzgibbon Street Garda station to be reopened when it is located in the area with the highest crime rate in the State. Frankly, it is beyond belief that, in June, the Government closed the community policing forum in an area with a crime rate five times higher than the average rate in the State. The Taoiseach may say he is pulling out all the stops and doing all he can, but people and families living in the area with the highest crime rate - five times the State average - see a Garda station in the heart of this area that is still closed. They know their community policing forum was closed down as recently as June.

Therefore, I want the Taoiseach to provide more concrete explanations and, more important solutions. We need a date for the reopening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station. We need to know that the community policing forum will be reopened. Anything short of that will, to the ears of the families of those living in the north inner city, sound very much like rhetoric and crocodile tears. It will add nothing to their sense of safety and security in their home area.

May I say, just before the Taoiseach responds, that-----

The time is up.

-----the Ceann Comhairle allowed Deputy Micheál Martin to run over by one minute and 11 seconds?

It was one minute and five seconds.

It was not; it was one minute and 11 seconds.

The Deputy surpassed himself.

I promise not to overrun.

Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

The Government has committed to reopening Fitzgibbon Street Garda station. I do not know the reason for the delay. I will find out and get back to the Deputy in the next 48 hours. It will be reopened. It is not the opening of Garda stations that reduces crime, rather it is gardaí on the streets. The number on the streets has increased not only in Dublin but also all over the rest of the State. It will continue to increase for as long as this Government is in office and I am the head of it.

I will check the position on the community policing forum. The Deputy's suggestion was that the Government somehow closed it down. I can guarantee that if there were a Government decision to close down a community policing forum, I would know about it. Therefore, it was not a Government decision. I will find out who closed the forum and why, and I will get back to the Deputy on it.