Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's submission on the Estimates gave the impression everything is hunky dory in our justice system, but the situation is the opposite. I have some questions with regard to his submission because there is a major problem with the justice system in regard to crime that is not being dealt with.

In regard to the Supplementary Estimates and the effective management of resources, does the Minister accept it is the duty of the Opposition to challenge and ask questions on the Estimates? The buck stops with the Minister and in the current economic climate we must make those challenges part of our brief. I came in here to participate a debate on the Estimates, not to have a ping pong row with the Minister or to listen to him have a go at people like Deputy Collins in regard to a previous government.

I was shocked to hear the Minister speak about crime and make no mention of gangland crime, murders, bodies in rivers or widespread intimidation across the city. What planet is the Minister on?