Sinn Féin has called on former minister for justice Helen McEntee to say if she agrees with the new Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan that parts of Dublin city are not safe.
Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ questions, Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said "everyone has a right to feel safe" while walking the streets.
However, he added that "the sad reality is this has been robbed" of people in Dublin, and that many now feel the need "to look over their shoulders" when in the city.
Deputy Doherty said he believes "we simply do not have enough gardaí on the ground" and "that's the reality no matter how much Government wants to stick your head in the sand".
Deputy Doherty told Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee, who is now Minister for Education, that "when you were justice minister you said the city was safe" despite being "surrounded by a dozen gardaí" during a walk around the city.
He said the new Minister for Justice, Mr O’Callaghan, "has now indicated" parts of the city are not safe, and asked if Minister McEntee agrees.
Responding to the comments, Minister McEntee said it is "absolutely this Government's intention that people feel safe".
She said that during her time as minister for justice she "increased the budget for gardaí by half a billion euro", and saw the introduction of body cameras for gardaí.
Minister McEntee said, "of course there are challenges in our capital city" and added "I've never shied away from that", but did not directly answer whether she agrees with Mr O’Callaghan’s assessment that parts of the capital are not safe.
Deputy Doherty responded by again asking Minister McEntee whether she now agrees parts of Dublin city are not safe.
"Do you have a problem answering the question? You stated Dublin is safe, surrounded by gardaí.
"The Minister for Justice now says parts of Dublin are not safe. Do you agree with him?"
Minister McEntee responded again, saying she would answer the question "for a second time, for the people at the back", adding "there are absolutely problems in our city centre" and that "I've always said there are challenges".
Minister McEntee said she has introduced laws to help address knife crime, and that Government is prioritising supporting gardaí and increasing resources for them.
