Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Let us find the will to introduce the surveillance legislation quickly, rather than sometime next year, which seems to be the suggestion. Last year, Deputy Rabbitte published legislation which the Minister could use now. We offer it to him freely, but we cannot wait any longer for such legislation. If the Garda Síochána can use camera evidence in court, surely that will be effective in putting these criminals away.

Other measures could be taken also. For example, it has been suggested that the Criminal Assets Bureau needs more resources. Perhaps it should be able to go after assets that are less than the minimum value currently stipulated in the legislation. I am told that guys roll up to the labour exchange in 4x4 cars. If that is the case, we should put resources into the Criminal Assets Bureau to go after them by hitting their pockets. We must pursue them in whatever way we can.

The drug problem is about supply and demand. These guys are making a lot of money, which is why they are guarding their power. That is also why they are able to protect themselves but, sadly, we are unable to protect people like Shane Geoghegan. Many heroin addicts on the streets of Limerick and other cities want to get off drugs, yet the gangs will do anything to keep them on drugs, including dropping free drugs through their letter-boxes. Many people work for these gangs to feed the habits of addicts. The Minister should therefore address the demand side of the issue also. He should ensure that if young addicts require detox treatment they will be catered for. They should be able to get the urgent treatment they need immediately. There are very good services in various areas that help addicts who are coming off drugs. To my knowledge, however, there is an absence of an immediate service to cater for drug users who have decided they want to quit. People are addressing this issue at the moment in Limerick and I urge that that side of the problem be dealt with also.

The overall message that must emanate from this House is that we are determined to treat this matter with urgency. I am not sure that sense of urgency is evident in everyone on the Government side, although it is among those who represent the Limerick area because they know what it is like.

Every measure that can be taken should be taken. We must ensure, as my colleague Deputy Rabbitte said, that this is a tipping point. No family should ever again have to go through what the Geoghegan family is going through this week and will have to go through for the rest of their lives.

See this speech in context