Feargal Quinn (Independent)

There is a natural outcry from all sides today against the outrage that happened in Coolock the other night. However, I am concerned that I hear calls for mandatory sentencing for firearms offences. People appear to be blaming the Judiciary for the fact that sentencing has in many cases been lenient. However, I understand that we have had mandatory sentencing for murder for several years. It is not the judges' decision whether to release people; I understand it to be a Government decision. If we are to take steps, let us not blame the Judiciary and call for mandatory sentencing as a solution. The Government must grab hold of this issue and say that when we mean mandatory sentencing, we will not relax our guard and take things easy. Instead, we should say that we mean it and are determined.