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

I am conscious that at present, there are two live issues before the courts in respect of that investigation. One of the associates of the late Mr. Fitzgerald has pleaded guilty so there has to be an issue with regard to sentencing in respect of his plea. Second, another individual, I understand, has not yet made a plea so there could be a trial so I am not going to get involved in the detail of that.

I would make one point. I have discussed this matter with both the former Commissioner and the current Commissioner. We are lucky in Ireland that we have a low level of firearms in this country. If you look at the injuries sustained from firearms in this country, they have stopped recording them because they are negligible. Part of the reason we have such a low level of firearms in the country is because of the work done by An Garda Síochána stopping weapons from coming in. That has to be a central part of its function.

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