Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I welcome the change in tone and attitude the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, has shown since this day last week during Priority Questions. My Priority Question related to the upsurge in gun murders and the Minister told the House that no such upsurge had occurred.

Does the Minister accept that his current policy has not worked and that the first step to a successful policy lies in recognising his failure to date? He stated yesterday and today that 24 members of Mr. Martin Hyland's gang are before the courts. Does he accept that 23 are out on bail and walking the streets and what does he propose to do about this? Does he find this situation acceptable?

I refer to comments made in the House yesterday that were repeated by my Fine Gael colleague a moment ago. A man identified in all the national newspapers as Dessie O'Hare allegedly associated with criminals during the summer. Will the Minister inform the House if he has any knowledge of this and whether he agrees it is a breach of Mr. O'Hare's licence if it is the case? Will Mr. O'Hare be taken into custody if it is the case?

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