Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

It is profoundly sad that he had to come to the conclusion that to live a normal life he had to move out of his home city. That is shocking. I am aware that the Minister for Justice and Equality and this Government has done everything to stand by Mr. Steve Collins and his family and support him in the decision that was best for him and his family.

On the broader issue of gangland crime, the Deputy will be aware that the crime figures generally are significantly improved and that the actions of the Garda Síochána, particularly in Limerick, have ensured that what is probably the most pernicious and vicious gang this country has ever had to encounter has been brought to heel, that many of them are in jail and that legal proceedings are pending against many more. That is not to say we should be complacent. We are not because often thugs who end up in jail are replaced by the next generation of thugs. It is an ongoing battle but I assure the Deputy that no resource will be spared in the fight against these pernicious gangs in particular.

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