Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The killings in Dublin last Friday and in Limerick last night were appalling. I agree with what Deputy Kenny said and wish to again highlight the threat we face from members of armed gangs who have no regard for human life and who, by extension, shoot people who have nothing to do with crime. Several people were killed this year — we are aware of at least three — who had no association with crime. All deaths of this kind are to be deplored and leave grieving families in their wake, as has been stated. We are all aware of the anguish of the family of Edward Ward and their moving comments in recent days about his death.

The Government has no greater priority than doing what it can to bring to an end this cycle of killing which has gone on for some considerable time. The Government is providing the agencies of the criminal justice system with the financial resources and legislative framework required to tackle this issue. Effective police work, successful prosecutions and prison places for those convicted hold the key to bringing to justice those involved in gangland activities and, in particular, gun crime. We should not under-estimate the difficulties faced by the Garda Síochána in bringing these killings to an end. As Deputy Kenny stated, this issue was recently discussed by the Cabinet and in the House last week.

The Garda Síochána has launched countless operations in an effort to protect people's lives. Unfortunately, while statistics such as 12,000 vehicles seized, 32,000 drug searches carried out and 60,000 checkpoints set up are impressive, the Garda Síochána receive absolutely no assistance from those people they seek to protect when seeking information in respect of the leaders or members of these gangs who wish to continue their criminal activities. This is a problem.

See this speech in context