Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

There is now a veritable swarm of wasps, yet the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform seems to think that his first duty is as a panellist in various television and radio studios.

I will give the Taoiseach a statistic: 75 murders where guns were used occurred between 1998 and 2004, but proceedings were taken in only 26 cases, 35%, and convictions were secured in only 12 cases, 16%. The Taoiseach will have heard the State solicitor in Limerick last week explain that even where cases go to court, they fall asunder because witnesses are fearful and there is no adequate protection of witnesses.

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