Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

They would be my priorities. I also have another Bill, the criminal procedure Bill, which arises as a result of my initiative on victims. That Bill is in its final throes and will loosen up the rule against double jeopardy as well as dealing with various matters, including victim impact statements. The data retention Bill is close to publication within the next week or so. In addition, the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is all but ready. Therefore, there are a significant number of Bills and I will seek the forbearance of Opposition justice spokespersons to allow these measures to pass through the House. I accept that getting such legislation through Committee Stage poses a difficulty, but we will do our level best.

We wish to have the Bill before us passed as soon as possible, as well as the criminal justice (amendment) Bill to which I referred. I suggest that these measures are the priorities, and thereafter perhaps the criminal procedure Bill.

I thank Members of the House for accepting this Bill. I am not saying it is the panacea for all ills in the country, of course it is not. We cannot deal with the problems by legislation alone; it must also be done by ordinary policing. I have heard suggestions that some gardaí may be taken away from Limerick, but that is not the case. I have clarified that matter with the Garda Síochána. The full resources of the Garda Síochána will be concentrated on those areas where they are needed most, particularly the city of Limerick. That is not to say, however, that I am being in any way complacent as regards the rest of the country. Given the fact that the number of gardaí is at an all time high, and will remain so for some considerable time, despite any moratorium on recruitment, they have the resources to fight what is an insidious element. It is an element which, in my view, is similar to the paramilitary activity that brought this country to its knees. The Oireachtas must react when we clearly see instances where people are taking on the State's criminal justice system. They are also taking on ordinary decent people who would be more than willing to come forward and give evidence, yet because of the type of intimidation that has gone on, they are not coming forward.

I thank Members for their contributions to this debate and hopefully the Bill will have a speedy passage through the House.

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