Anti-social behaviour orders are necessary because "horrendous problems" are being caused by a small minority, according to the Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Noel Ahern said yesterday he fully supported the Minister for Justice, who was introducing the Asbos to reduce anti-social behaviour. Mr Ahern said anti-social behaviour had "a hugely damaging effect" on day-to-day life and was ruining the quality of life for many.
"Quite often these horrendous problems are caused by quite a small minority."
There were many misunderstandings about Asbos but he was satisfied they could be "used effectively to meet the real and serious needs of our communities".
Strict Garda guidelines would be followed in dealing with Asbos and a series of steps would have to be followed before a court application for an Asbo could be made, Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern, who has responsibility for the drugs strategy, was addressing a Dublin City Council conference on drugs in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham yesterday.
"Those of you who are working on the ground have repeatedly stressed the need for early intervention with young people," he said. "The intention is to use the procedures to further augment the mechanisms available for early intervention."
He said anti-social behaviour arose from severe social problems such as family breakdown, alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, mental illness and neglect.
Many agencies had a role to play, including the housing authorities. Getting tenants involved in housing management was important, he said, and the success of the Ballymun project showed how this could be done.
Mr Ahern said there was no room for complacency on drugs. A review of the national drugs strategy found that much more needed to be done on the rehabilitation of addicts and a working group was looking at this issue.
