Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I commiserate with the families of the victims in recent instances in which there has been a callous disregard for human life. The Garda is carrying out rigorous investigations of the killings and persons have been charged with murder in respect of two of them. I do not want to go into detail about those instances, but the Garda Commissioner has kept the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform briefed on events. With regard to the recent tragic stabbings, the Minister has been advised that Garda investigations are well advanced.

The Garda faces severe challenges in dealing with gangland murders. Often, it receives no co-operation from the associates of those affected. In some cases, persons who have been identified by the Garda as being at risk, rather than co-operating with it, seek to thwart the Garda so they can get on with their gangland activities.

It was against that background last year that the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, introduced a series of strong anti-gang legislative measures, of which the Deputy will be aware.

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