Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has said he will be bringing forward legislation which will give greater powers to the gardaí to stop and search people who they suspect may be carrying knives.
Minister O'Callaghan told RTÉ News tonight that he hopes Opposition parties will support the Garda Powers Bill, providing for increased stop and search powers for gardaí to combat knife crime.
The Minister added: "Gardaí will continue to seize knives and prosecute those carrying them with intent to cause harm."
The statement comes after Sinn Féin leader Mary McDonald said that Dublin city centre is no longer safe and people who live, work and visit the city are robbed of their safety.
Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders' Questions, she said a climate of danger has taken root due to a lack of gardaí on the ground.
Ms McDonald said that adding to public concern is the fact that some people arrested for incidents are already on bail. People are now asking why this is, she said, if our bail laws are adequate and if they are being properly enforced.
She also said people are also asking how individuals involved in serious crime in other countries are now in Ireland.
"Knife crime and the carrying of knives now presents a clear and present danger to the public," she said, adding that more gardaí are needed on the streets, more investment in communities and youth projects and reform of the bail laws.
"The price of Government failure in all these areas have been too high," Ms McDonald said.
Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the carrying of knives is reprehensible and putting the lives of people in danger.
Mr Martin said that Ms McDonald's questions about bail laws are valid, and that those laws have been strengthened in recent years.
The decision to grant bail is for judges, and there are various guidelines the courts have to have regard to, Mr Martin said.
He said those laws have to be kept under constant review and if they can be made tighter, they will do so.
"The bottom line is there is no tolerance from the government side for these crimes which are reprehensible," the Taoiseach told the house.
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Additional reporting: Joe Mag Raollaigh
