Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I asked the Taoiseach "Who is in charge of the streets, the Government or the gunmen?" What increase in terms of staff will the CAB receive? I acknowledge the four systems identified are necessary and that this programme has been ongoing for many years. However, the Taoiseach recently announced that the CAB would receive extra resources. How many new officers will be recruited? Will CAB officers arrest drug pushers at a lower level, admittedly, visible on street corners in this and other cities in the early morning and evening? Will they target those who put them on the streets and provide help for their victims?

Will Deputy Flanagan's call for the establishment of a real witness protection programme be considered? The Taoiseach signed up in Lisbon last week to the trans-Border, trans-European measures in terms of drugs which I assume everybody in this House would support. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will not opt out on cross-Border terrorism and cross-country capacity to deal with crime, which is becoming ever-more sophisticated and globalised? Has the Government made a decision on this? I do not believe the Government should blindly follow Britain which wants to opt out, when it already has an in-built mechanism by having an emergency brake applied and the capacity of Council to resolve any difficulties for our legislative system by virtue of consensus within the Council.

Who is in control of our streets, the Government or the gunmen? I have told the Taoiseach that the Fine Gael Party will support Government on this. Let us now hear what he has to say about it.

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