Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Consideration can be given to that matter in discussions between the Whips in preparation for next week's business. The Government has been discussing it at some length at recent Cabinet meetings. The Taoiseach has allowed a considerable amount of time for it in next week's agenda. There was a further serious incident last night. Occurring in the same week when a garda carrying out his duties on behalf of the public was so callously shot and injured, it is a reminder that there are people who are prepared to put human life at risk for their own selfish ends. I reiterate the determination of the Government to rid society of that problem, with their co-operation and help. I remind the House that we have undertaken an unprecedented programme of resourcing the Garda and reforming the criminal justice system, including a range of legislative measures to combat crime, in particular gun crime. It is a phenomenon in our society, of which we must be wary and do everything we can to deal with it. It indicates a deterioration in the fabric of our society that there are people of such a callous nature who are prepared to gun down unarmed gardaí who carry out their duties on our behalf and are a bulwark of our democratic life.

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