Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I wish the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, well with his portfolio. We would not be discussing this matter if a young garda had not been shot in the line of duty last week. Garda Paul Sherlock, a 34 year old father of two out in the front line of the fight against crime, has become the latest victim of the apparent lawlessness which has engulfed the country.

Almost 20% of the homicides since 2000 have been gangland slayings. Maybe a blind eye was turned to these murders on the basis that it was just one criminal killing another and we should let them at it, but that was naive. The gangland criminals now believe they can get away with murder and many have already done so.

Mr. Anthony Campbell, the 20 year old plumber, should also be remembered as his only crime was to be working in a house in Finglas where he witnessed a gangland murder. For that, Anthony was executed. That was only last December. Mr. Campbell and Garda Sherlock are just two victims of the criminal gangs who do not fear the law, who kill without hesitation and who believe it is better to leave a corpse than a witness. Criminals are becoming the masters of an increasingly lawless element where life is cheap, witness intimidation is an art and all that matters is control of the drugs trade.

Drugs money is at the centre of many of the problems facing this country. Drugs money is the seed from which lawlessness is grown. In today's Ireland cocaine is the drug of choice for many. We heard over the weekend how Europe has become flooded with cheap cocaine. In the past four years cocaine seizures have increased by 750%. The major haul found accidentally of the south-west coast during the summer is one of which we know, but how many more are getting through? I support the call made earlier by Deputy Olivia Mitchell to get help from Europe to secure our waters. We need additional support in policing our waters. Ireland is a small island on the edge of Europe and it is seen as a gateway for many of these drug deliveries. In a study last year DCU tested 47 random EU notes every one of which was found to be contaminated with cocaine.

The lawlessness on our streets is a national crisis and a direct challenge to the State and to all of us. It is a challenge for the Government and one which I hope the Minister will face. I heard the Minister's speech in which he addressed a number of issues. I strongly support his efforts with juvenile liaison officers and the joint policing committees. Having been a member of a local authority, I know how valuable a role local authority members, local gardaí and local community activists must play in ensuring in many cases that problems can be nipped in the bud and that young people, who gather and come in the way of drugs, alcohol or lawlessness, can be helped and supported. It is worthwhile work. We need more gardaí on the streets and a greater Garda presence in our communities. That is an important element in the fight against crime which is worthwhile in terms of saving young people from becoming errant and saving their families and communities from the heartache and stress which that can cause.

We also need to ensure that we bring in legislation to tackle witness tampering, to introduce a witness relocation programme and to increase needed community services. If we continue to turn a blind eye to gangland crime, we can continue to expect that innocent victims such as Anthony Campbell and Paul Sherlock will pay the price for our cowardice and indifference.

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