Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It would be very neglectful of us in discussing this not to acknowledge and recognise the work that has been done by CAB for many years. If my memory serves me correctly, the Government of the day which was led by Fine Gael introduced legislation following the death of the journalist, Ms Veronica Guerin. Politicians at that time, both in government and in opposition, came together and passed the necessary urgent legislation which dealt with people who were involved in organised criminal gangs at that time who thought they could do whatever they liked and that they were above the laws of this State.

They were running roughshod over the country at the time. They were laughing in the face of justice.

During the discussion on this amendment, it is right and important to recognise a group of people who are working in a very stressful situation. I refer to the members of An Garda Síochána who work in the Criminal Assets Bureau and do our State a great service. They have to take over properties and possessions that have been deemed to be gained on foot of acts of criminality, including theft and corruption. The bureau resulted from urgent emergency legislation that was put together by the politicians of the time to give members of An Garda Síochána the extra powers they needed. They have done sterling work for our country and our communities.

In recognising what happened at that time, I would like to mention the late Veronica Guerin and other people who were threatened and intimidated. I know some of them concentrated on this issue more than others. Virtually every week, the Sunday Worldis to the fore in the campaign against organised crime. I compliment the journalists in various newspapers who have worked in this field in the past and who are working in it at present. They are subject to a lot of worry at times just for doing their jobs. To be honest, we would not know about much of what goes on in this country only for the good work of journalists who dig deep to expose the criminal actions of people who are involved in highly organised crime. Some of those people have left this country to go to Spain and other parts of the world to enjoy their ill-gotten gains. Their actions have been brought to the attention of the public by journalists who are following in the footsteps of the late Veronica Guerin.

During our debate on what the Minister is proposing in respect of section 17, it is right and proper for us not only to express our support for this proposal but also to recognise the work of the Garda and the Criminal Assets Bureau. They have to be complimented and recognised on the floor of the House for the difficult work they are doing every day, sometimes in dealing with threatening and dangerous situations.

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