Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There are instances where fear has played a part and legislative measures have been taken by this House which have successfully withstood court and legal scrutiny to overcome situations where people were not prepared to give oral evidence on the basis of previous witness statements they had made. This House has responded in ways which were effective.

As to what will happen on the lifting of suspects, I assure the House that every possible effort will be made in the investigation of this heinous crime to follow up any lead, speak to those whom it is felt have knowledge of the issue or who raise suspicion. This morning, the Commissioner assured me and the Minister in so far as he can that the investigative effort will be insistent, widespread and as far as he is concerned will have a successful outcome. This is the determination of everybody involved in the issue.

With regard to further legislative measures, we have the covert surveillance Bill and forthcoming legislation on DNA. On intelligence gathering we rely on the judgment of professionals in this area. This work is ongoing and must be allowed to continue in a way which does not open up to those who are being targeted the opportunity to discover in what way they are being covered and how the surveillance is taking place. We need to find a balance between allowing the Garda Síochána to collect evidence in a way which will withstand legal scrutiny in the courts and, at the same time, get on with policing on a day to day basis so we have community support — as we have in this country thanks be to God — for the gardaí in the work they do on our behalf.

We have armed units, unarmed units, specialised units, increased resources and ring-fenced resources. We have 24 hour surveillance seven days a week of many of these organised figures. Everything possible is being done to see in what way people can be brought to justice for the crimes they commit. What happened is a tragedy as is the fact that we cannot guarantee something similar happening in the future. Unfortunately, this is the society in which we live because of the contempt for life that some in this country have. The law enforcement agencies will be given every assistance. I have confidence in the leadership provided by the Garda Commissioner, senior officers and those on the ground not only in Limerick but in other areas where this phenomenon is prevalent in an effort to deal with the situation.

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