Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. On Deputy Bacik's question, I join with her in commending the work of An Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the courts. As the Deputy said, it is five years since there has been a murder in Ireland linked to a feud involving serious organised crime gangs. Please God, this will continue. I am aware the gardaí have done phenomenal work in that regard as have the prosecutors and the court. Two convictions have been secured this week. There was one acquittal, which was not the outcome the State wanted, but it prove the Special Criminal Court is a place where people get a fair trial. It underlines the case for retaining the court. It is particularly important that we all understand it is one of the reasons we have the two Special Criminal Courts. It is because it allows trials to happen without a jury and it enables us to put some really bad people away who would otherwise intimidate a jury and their family members and make it impossible for there to be a trial at all.

With regard to the independent review, which is being headed up by former Mr. Justice Michael Peart, this is the review of the Offences Against the State Acts. I have not received it and it has not gone to the Government yet. I do not know whether the Minister for Justice has it but I will find out. Ideally, we would like to have it published and debated before June when we will have the vote on the continuation of the Special Criminal Court.

With regard to a citizens' assembly on neutrality and security policy, there was no proposal or draft proposal put to the Government on that. When he was the Taoiseach, I believe the Tánaiste suggested it as an option for consideration but there was never a proposal made to the Government. He gave it further consideration and came up with a different proposal, which was then put to the Cabinet and was agreed. This is the one he is proceeding with at the moment.

On collective bargaining, if my recollection is correct, the commitment we made around legislating for collective bargaining derives from the EU directive on minimum wages and collective bargaining.

4 o’clock

We have something like two years to produce an action plan. The commitment we made was to have some legislation this year or next. I have not been across that file for a couple of months and I will have to check with the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, as to where we are in that regard. I am happy to get back to Deputies on that point.

I have not seen the report of the expert group in respect of the television licence or broadcasting charge. I am not sure if the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, has the report yet but it is imminent. We should see that report soon and have a chance to debate it.

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh mentioned Finland and horizon planning. I know a little bit about that but not enough. I am familiar with the fact that Finland has had a committee for the future for a long time. It probably dates back 20 years at this stage. I knew a Finnish member of parliament who was a member of, and advocate for, the committee. I have not had a chance to look at Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's Bill but I will do so. I will see if there is space for us in that. We have an awful lot of committees, as the Ceann Comhairle will acknowledge, but perhaps it is something we could work up for the next Dáil. It could be a part of the programme for the next Dáil to have a committee in that regard.

In respect of evictions or illegal evictions, I am very reluctant to make any comment on any video that has gone viral. One can look at a video online without knowing what happened in the four of five minutes beforehand or afterwards. We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions in that regard. The role of the Garda is to keep the peace and enforce the law. Breaking and entering somebody's property without permission is against the law, as is threatening violence or using violence against someone. That is against the law. These are questions that only the Garda can answer.

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