Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

-----and that former Minister, Dermot Ahern, not I, was Minister for Justice. If the Deputy had any concerns about he efficacy of the programme he had two years during which time his party was in government to raise them directly with his ministerial colleague. Under this Government, there is an effective programme. The Deputy's comments today are damaging. He might reflect on that. The very essence of witness protection programmes is not only to provide intensive security for families within their locality but to assist those families, who have assisted the State in bringing to justice those engaged in organised crime, who wish to lead their lives free of that intensive security to relocate should they wish to do so.

While the Deputy may not understand that, my predecessor did. The arrangements put in place in regard to the Collins family commenced with discussions in which the former Minister, Dermot Ahern, was engaged. I substantially advanced those discussions and brought arrangements that were taking far too long to fruition and finality, thus facilitating the Collins family in their wish and choice to relocate elsewhere so they can lead a normal life. I wish them well. It is a disgrace that the Deputy should use the successful implementation of the witness protection programme and the bravery of the Collins family in terms of their freely made decision to relocate elsewhere when we would have continued to provide them with extensive security in this State for crass party-political point scoring.

See this speech in context