Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I welcome the fact that there is to be no guillotine on the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 because there will be many contributions from all sides of the House on this proposal from the Government which we and other parties will be opposing. Will the Leader consider allowing general contributions of perhaps 15 minutes. There are significant issues in the Bill which colleagues might wish to raise with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government? I ask her to consider a 15 minute time slot and colleagues can share time if they wish. I do not think it is right that Senators should be limited to ten minutes for general contributions.

I want to raise the issue of the latest attempted gangland killing which took place in Dublin last night. The Leader and others will be aware that another shooting occurred in Drimnagh, which brings to a very sorry state the number of attempted murders that have taken place in this country since 1 January this year. It is the worst January on record in regard to the number of murders and attempted murders. Will the Leader find out from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will bring additional legislative measures to both Houses of the Oireachtas concerning this latest spate of gangland killings? Will the Government put additional resources at the disposal of the Garda Síochána? It is quite clear the situation is getting out of control. The attempted murders, the situation in Limerick last week and the general level of attacks taking place in this and other cities must be quickly nipped in the bud.

In the 1990s, the Government responded swiftly by way of the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Proceeds of Crime Bill to get rid of the drug gangs that were creating fear throughout this city. These people left the country but it seems they are now back in business. I ask the Government, through the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to take strong action in this matter and bring to the House additional legislative measures to ensure these people are taken out of business. January 2003 has been the worst period on record in terms of the number of murders that have occurred.