Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is only a matter of time before innocent bystanders are shot in Dublin as a result of the ongoing gangland feuding that is taking place in this city. I know this matter was raised yesterday by Senators McCarthy, Finucane and others. We need to debate the matter today. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that, following the conclusion of No. 1, we take statements on the upsurge of gangland killings on the streets of Dublin. This bloodletting must stop.

We all saw the response of the State following the murder of Veronica Guerin some years ago. Unprecedented new laws were put in place. The gangs were closed down. They went out of business and fled. However, new more amoral younger vicious thugs have taken their place. The Government and specifically the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must respond to this crisis.

Last night in Clontarf on a busy road where pedestrians and motorists go by on a second-by-second basis a killing took place. In my constituency two nights ago two men were shot in a car in the middle of a quiet housing estate. We must take action. Specifically, a new offence of membership of a criminal gang must be put into statute law to give extra protection to the Garda and close down these gangs. I ask that the Government considers the matter.

On a separate matter, the House needs to debate at the earliest possible time the controversy that surrounds the latest appointment of Mr. McSweeney by the Government. He was the original scientific adviser to the Government, a post that was filled without interview and without open invitation to other interested parties. He was plucked from another job and now we discover that because of a question over his qualifications, the Government has given him another job. We need to debate this matter. This shows gross Government incompetence at the highest level. This matter needs to be debated urgently.