Council tenants who fail to control their children's vandalism should lose their houses, the Fine Gael TD for Dublin South West, Mr Brian Hayes, said yesterday.
He was commenting on the vandalising of buses in west Tallaght, which has resulted in the suspension of services. He said parents should face the "ultimate sanction" of being put out of their houses if they failed to take reasonable steps to control their children.
Last night Mr Hayes welcomed Dublin Bus's decision to resume the service, following agreement that a forum be established to review the level of violence and vandalism on some Tallaght bus routes; installation of vandal-proof cameras in buses; and the introduction of a scheme to deal with youths involved in anti-social activity.
Mr Hayes said the Housing (Miscellaneous) Act allowed local authorities to expel tenants from their homes on the evidence of a Garda superintendent that they had been involved in criminal activity.
"I believe this law must be used to tackle vandalism by minors where the parents are negligent," Mr Hayes said.
