Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his appointment. He has all the qualifications to be an excellent Minister for Justice.

I welcome his earlier statement that he is consulting this House before finalising priorities for the Garda Síochána in 2008. I especially welcome his statement that it is easy to sound tough on crime, but what is needed is to be tough on crime. In other words, effectiveness counts much more than rhetorical pyrotechnics. While I take crime extremely seriously, I have little time for political parties here or elsewhere taking up positions or using exaggerated language, not objectively justified, merely in order to impress the public that they are the most macho on the subject.

We are also fortunate in having a Taoiseach who has always regarded justice as an area of major political importance and priority.

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