Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The Order of Business is satisfactory. I want to raise the question of Iraq. We had a good debate on Iraq last week and we established the views of this House. It is now in the hands of the Government to make a decision so it is not necessary to continually debate it here. We have given our views and the Government now must make the decision.

Now is the time for a debate on Northern Ireland because the Government needs to hear an expression of views in that regard.

We had an interesting debate on crime recently but since then we have learned that there are now 15 murder cases outstanding in the Limerick area. I understand the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is hoping to transfer the Special Criminal Court to Limerick but he must ensure that he continues to deal with that issue with vigour. I understand it takes two to three years to bring a murder case to trial. In the United States they do not talk about crime as much as public safety. We talk about public safety for our citizens, but if murder cases are not reaching trial for three years the Minister must take action. It is not a question of public safety if criminal cases take that length of time to come to court. I understand that is the position. I would like the Minister to confirm it and to ensure that he exercises the same vigour in this area as he has done in others.