Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I encourage the Minister in his resolve on this issue. Civil liberties and constitutional issues are important but so are the rights of ordinary citizens to go about their daily lives, not only in County Limerick but in my constituency in County Meath, where many of the gangs from Finglas have decided to live. Crime is an important issue in my part of the country.

A garda giving evidence in court does not determine guilt or innocence. He or she does not determine whether an organisation exists. His evidence will simply be part of what the judge must weigh up and decide on. Other evidence will be presented, which the judge will accept or reject based on his or her view of it.

I encourage the Minister in his resolve. His amendment to allow former members of the Garda Síochána to give the same evidence is appropriate. The issue was raised of gardaí who are long retired being allowed to give evidence. If such a retired garda were to give evidence it would, surely, be weighed accordingly by a judge.

Let us keep thinking about the victims. We should acknowledge the support for the Minister from the general public. The correct procedures in the Dáil must be observed and the Bill scrutinised line by line but we must not forget the victims of crime. The public want this legislation and it is important that we give it to them.

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