Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

We have done a good day's work. We welcome the Bill despite our concerns. We tried, through our amendments, to have a better Bill. I hope the new powers will be used to good effect to ensure criminals are targeted and brought to justice within the boundaries set out in the legislation and that the legislation will be of benefit to An Garda and society as a whole. We set down in law the powers available to An Garda. I hope the concerns we raised will not prove to have been well founded. If they are, I hope we will deal with any shortfall as quickly as possible.

This Bill could be a useful tool in the fight against crime and, as Deputy Rabbitte stated, particularly in the fight against drug dealers, who seem to operate with impunity in some areas. The powers we have granted to An Garda can be used if the force is properly resourced to tackle major criminal gangs in this city and elsewhere throughout the State.

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