Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo what the Minister has said in calling for support for the 1998 and 2009 Acts. It is very important that everyone in this House support them. I call in particular on political parties that have not done so in the past to consider that this is a time to choose. If a party sets itself up as a modern political party and as expert in so many ways on our Judiciary, our policing and our Garda Síochána, it must understand that dealing with the threats we face from organised criminals, paramilitaries and international terrorism is essential to An Garda Síochána and to the security of the State. This is no time for doubts or any kind of harking back to a past, a tradition and a history which caused one to oppose good, solid, sensible legislation that is vital to the protection of the institutions and security of this modern State, which some would seek to govern and be involved with other parties in that government. No party that would not support this would be fit to be part of any government. It is very important, and it is a challenge, perhaps, to some to support, but I call on all parties quite clearly to do so.

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