Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I will speak with reference to Limerick as I represent that area. This legislation is very welcome but I would like extra time to go through the various sections and consider the Bill in detail to ensure we get it right. I commented previously on an issue which goes to the heart of the matter. As a result of the mindless murders of Roy Collins and Shane Geoghegan recently, victims and the general public in Limerick want extra resources for An Garda Síochána on the ground. They want us to overcome the intimidation of both jurors and witnesses. Will the Minister give a clear response on that?

The following point may seem straightforward but it cuts to the heart of the matter. In this legislation, under the Special Criminal Court that is to be provided, can a conviction be achieved based on the opinion evidence of what we would like to be a chief superintendent and evidence that would arise from the surveillance legislation? This would mean witnesses would not be required to go before the Special Criminal Court. It is critical that we can get to the structured groups in gangland crime, so this must hold up legally. Will the Minister give an assurance that we will not see a case where witnesses may still face the possibility of continued intimidation?

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