The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, defended the Government's record on tackling crime, as the Opposition demanded action on street violence.
"I can supply the resources to the Garda and provide the legislative powers," said Mr Ahern. "We will do our best to ensure record numbers of gardaí to deal with this matter."
He added that he had already acknowledged several times in the House, as had the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, that between 1997 and 2000 there was a drop of 27 per cent in the crime rate and in the past two years, 2001 and 2002, there had been a large increase.
As Mr Ahern was heckled from the Government benches, the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, remarked: "This is Comical Ali stuff."
Mr Ahern replied: "If I outline Garda facts, they say it is rubbish. Could Opposition members just listen? I only have a minute, can they not shut up for a minute?"
The Fine Gael chief whip, Mr Bernard Durkan, said: "The Taoiseach is losing it now." Mr Tom Hayes (FG, Tipperary South) observed: "He should watch the backbenches."
Earlier, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said that in recent weeks the country had seen an unprecedented rise in unpremeditated violence on the streets.
"Does the Taoiseach not accept that the policy pursued by this Government, and the previous Government, of zero tolerance, lies in a complete and utter shambles?" he added.
"Does he accept that the solemn promise made in the programme for government of a society where all people can feel safe in their homes, businesses and communities is a total sham ?"
Mr Ahern said the Government had acknowledged that the increase in crime in the past few years was unacceptable and very disappointing. "We have also pointed out that we will continue to put in additional resources in terms of manpower, prison places and changes to the Public Order Act and criminal justice legislation as well as other measures," he added.
"Only yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform spelled out in particular six measures, some legislative, when he intends to introduce as soon as possible, relating to drink and licensed premises."
Plainclothes gardaí, he added, would have the right to be on licensed premises to stop under-age drinking, there would be new and heavier penalties for drunkenness in licensed premises, as well as other measures.
"We have allocated huge resources in the Budget to allow gardaí to deal with the situation. It is a fact that the figures have gone up in the past few years, mainly through drink-related crime and public order elements, but there was a fall of almost a quarter for a number of years prior to that," he added. Amid further exchanges with Mr Kenny, the Taoiseach remarked: "I am glad to see Deputy Kenny is interested in this issue. Unfortunately, his party was the only one not to bother giving a submission to the Commission on Intoxicating Liquor despite the reminders that it received."
Mr Rabbitte, referring to a weekend incident in Dublin city centre, asked: "Is what happened at the weekend not every parent's nightmare - the horrific, life-threatening assault of a young man for no apparent reason?" He claimed there was nothing new about the incident.
