The Justice Minister insists Gardaí are taking arson attacks at vacant properties "very seriously."
Green Party TD Patrick Costello told the Dail he didn't believe it was the case, adding such attacks on properties rumoured to house asylum seekers are "organised."
He said there are online groups "bragging" about they have done, adding that it's a "breakdown of law and order."
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says there are issues around current "incitement" laws which need to change. "One of the issues that has been brought to my attention is the incitement legislation. It is a very high threshold, particularly when you are trying to bring a prosecution forward."
The Minister added that "the DPP are very clear in what they need and the evidence that they require. That's why we have the hate crime legislation, which I want to enact."
