Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-30
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

I thank the Deputy for raising an issue that I know has been harrowing for his community and constituency this week. On a human level, there is the trauma and loss of childhood innocence for an 11 year old and the other child the Deputy rightly referenced. For that child to come across and fire a gun, it is but for the grace of God that nobody was seriously injured. That is not to take away from the trauma and the real shock and fear it has caused in the community. I will ensure this is discussed across Government, and I know it will be. Our colleague, the Minister for justice, is keeping in close contact with An Garda Síochána. I know there is an active investigation. I take the broader point about Garda numbers and resources. I can point to some positivity in the Deputy's area in the past while but I will speak to the Minister and ask that he liaise with the Commissioner. We must then support the Ballymun implementation group to do its work. We have invested a lot in setting up that structure and bringing partners together around the table. Perhaps now might be a timely opportunity for the Government to take stock with that group about what it believes should be the next steps. I am happy to discuss that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-30