Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Having said that, I believe, as does the House, that recent events, not least the murders of Shane Geoghegan and Roy Collins, were an affront to society and to those decent people who were prepared to come forward to give evidence. The State must respond and that is why we are fast-tracking surveillance legislation in the wake of the murder of Shane Geoghegan and the recent murders in the North.

It is not simple legislation because there are significant issues related to privacy and private property, as outlined in the Constitution. That balance must be struck and to be fair to the Attorney General and his staff, we have succeeded, given that it is subject to judicial oversight and authorisation.

There are currently 625 gardaí in Limerick, an increase in the last 18 months of 100. There are 80 gardaí specifically earmarked for certain troubled areas in Limerick. Limerick is one of the most, if not the most, policed areas in the State. The numbers will be kept as high as possible and I do not envisage those numbers being reduced as long as this affront to Irish society exists.

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