The Independent TD for Tipperary South, Mr Séamus Healy, called for Government action on crime in regional towns.
Mr Healy said that international criminal gangs did not arise out of the blue, but began at home. "I want to refer, in particular, to the serious levels of anti-social behaviour in the estates of our towns and villages.
"Small numbers of individuals in these estates are creating havoc. They are ensuring that respectable, responsible and law-abiding citizens are unable to sleep at night through abuse." He added that stones were thrown at houses and windows were broken.
"Unfortunately, the Government and Garda management are gradually abandoning these estates. It is now unusual to see gardaí on the beat in those estates.
"Instead, policing has been reduced to quick whip-through in a police car with no involvement with local communities. It is a situation that has been promoted by this and previous governments."
Mr Denis Naughten (FG, Longford-Roscommon) said that the Government was selling State assets, be they land or buildings, because it was trying to balance the books and ensure that some basic level of infrastructure was put in place.
"Up to six garda stations in Co Roscommon have a question mark hanging over them. When I questioned the Minister on the matter on November 25th, he did not indicate a rosy future for these garda stations." Mr Naughten added that not only rural garda stations, but also urban stations, including those in Dublin city, were at risk of being closed.
Mr Paul Kehoe (FG, Wexford) said that the number of gardaí on the streets of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was a cause for concern. "Last night, I walked down O'Connell Street, Dublin, from the quays, and met only one garda in 35 minutes.
"I probably was lucky. I could not believe it. I met some drug pushers on the way. I knew what they were from the way they were behaving. I also met some drunken people. What would have happened had I or anyone else been injured, or had a knife pulled or money stolen?
"I would have had to wait a long time for the Garda to show up. I saw one garda in all the time I spent walking around the city centre."
Mr Kehoe said that a half-hour earlier seven gardaí were part of a motorcycle escort to ensure some VIPs involved in the EU presidency were brought quickly through traffic.
"I accept that such people should be looked after and it is great that we hold the European presidency. However, we must put our house in order and ensure gardaí are on the beat."
He added that three gardaí had been brutally attacked with bottles and stones in New Year's Eve in Enniscorthy and 10 people were arrested. "Gardaí in Enniscorthy have told me they do not have adequate resources. An additional 2,000 gardaí were promised. Where are they?"
