Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a shocking state of affairs. While I accept that Mr. FitzPatrick has been cleared, people out there are none too happy about the situation. According to theIrish Examiner, Professor Shane Kilcommins of the school of law in University of Limerick referred to "a 'fragmented' approach by a myriad of state agencies in tackling this type of crime" that was having a "demoralising effect" on society and democracy. It is having a serious effect on our democracy. Apart from this case, there are many more cases of white collar crime and other issues along the Border that have been ongoing for many years and need to be investigated.

I will put a simple question to the Minister. I agree somewhat with Deputy Boyd Barrett, in that the issue with the case was not a lack of resources. The ODCE has a budget of €5 million and 56 staff, so it should be well able to deal with any serious issue. Despite what a number of people have said, the ODCE had some experienced people involved. In Northern Ireland, the police deal with white-collar crime. Is the Minister prepared to revert to the Government and tell it that, after the Garda Síochána has been sorted out, the ODCE should be abolished and this type of investigation should be handed over to the Garda?

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