Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

In answer to the Deputy's first question, I believe it is a serious problem. I do not minimise the threat from this violence between these gang members on each other because, inevitably, if it continues somebody other than the intended victims of shootings will become involved. On the Deputy's suggestion that we should break out provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill and move with them separately, all of the provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill without exception are important, such as the power to preserve scenes and extend the detention of people. It is not a matter of bringing forward one or two key sections. In any event, as the Deputy well knows, those sections cannot operate with retrospective effect. Criminal law only operates prospectively.

The Deputy mentioned Garda numbers. I will reiterate for the Deputy's benefit that the numbers in the Garda Síochána are increasing and will reach 14,000 by December 2006.

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