Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

On this occasion, I would like to offer my personal condolences to the family and welcome the apology given on the record to the late Shane O'Farrell. I used to say that the period between my previous tenure as a TD in 2011 and being re-elected last November was a very long time. Compared to what Shane's family has had to go through even to get this acknowledgement, I feel for the family on a personal level. As a family, they possibly have not got closure. They certainly have not got justice from the apology, but I hope this is the start of the process rather than the end of it.

We have had the two GSOC reports and the farcical excuse of an inquiry into whether to hold an inquiry. I welcome what the Minister said regarding section 53(4) of the Road Traffic Act and the 2014 legislation that was introduced, but the key factor is that there are no consequences for people who already have criminal records to stop them from reoffending, for example, the threat of further sentencing or, more importantly, other measures. We have a very small amount of time and I hope will go into the minutiae of this at a later stage.

Why should someone who has so many convictions, including for road traffic offences, be allowed to drive? Why do not we have more cases where people have curfews to prevent them from going out? Why do we not use, as Deputy Tóibín said, the measures in place to expel people with multiple criminal convictions from the country? We have enough of our own who do not face consequences. I hope that, in Shane's memory and for others, we will try to ensure that this type of scenario cannot happen again.

I also support an inquiry for the O'Farrell family. It is long overdue. This is the start. I hope the Minister will say in his final statement that this is the start of the process and an inquiry will be held.

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