Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that. Previously, when there have been issues in places such as County Longford or Drogheda, there has been a concentration of policing attention in the areas. Much of that has to do with the fact there is a great deal of media attention on the difficulties the areas experience. My concern is there is a lot of action in respect of the savage attack on Mr. Lunney, to which the State is responding. We have known for more than two years, however, that such aggression and intimidation against Quinn executives was taking place. We need to ensure that this type of policing continues in the region and that the Garda is fully resourced in order that individuals can be brought to justice. We also need to change the mindset of people living in the Border region in order that they will be aware the type of intimidation to which Mr. Lunney and other company executives have been exposed is unacceptable and that to stamp it out the public will need to co-operate with members of An Garda Síochána.

Nevertheless, there will have to be a statutory, legislative response. I mentioned CAB and the National Crime Agency, but perhaps the Government needs to consider the legislation that was brought forward a number of years ago by Deputy Brendan Smith to deal with issues such as fuel smuggling on the Border. We have tolerated such activity for too long but it now needs to be tackled seriously.

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