David Norris (Independent)

The second matter is that I want to support colleagues who have spoken about the necessity for a major debate on crime. The question of drunkenness, misbehaviour and violent death arising from alcohol abuse is one I have raised on many occasions in the House. There is a more serious situation at present and I regret very much that it affects a small area of the beautiful and vital city of Limerick. What we need to look for is decommissioning of these arms and an incisive investigation of the relationship between drugs and guns and also the crossover of republican paramilitaries into this area. I said a long time ago that I strongly believe we are in danger of allowing the creation of a Mafia by virtue of the fact that members of the republican movement have crossed over from politics into violent crime.