Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Jim O'Keeffe that this is a good day for democracy. The notion that people can wander our streets with guns is deplorable, no matter whom they kill. It puts us all at risk. We should be conscious of that because, as has happened in the past, innocent people can caught in the cross-fire.

I seek reassurance, however, from the Minister on the content of this section. Will any other offence be taken into account or does this refer strictly to guns? I would hate to think — as the Minister said earlier — that someone caught shoplifting at the age of 14——

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