Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I support my colleague, Senator Finucane, on the issue of the McCabe murderers. In my political career to date I have never seen such an outpouring of horror and revulsion from members of the Garda community. The House will be aware I come from Templemore. They are aghast at this U-turn by the Taoiseach. Their families and the community in general are horrified. It is said that Senator Mansergh makes an attempt to minimise a dastardly act which was the cold-blooded murder of a member of the security forces of the State which uphold law and order. Like other speakers, I call on the Leader to make our feelings known to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform so that they will rethink this issue. This has nothing to do with the peace process. This was an act of cold-blooded murder. If we are to reach an agreement, sometimes we can go a step too far and to my way of thinking this is a step too far.