Alex White (Labour)

It is important to reinforce the Bill's proposals. A witness protection programme exists in the State but the Bill proposes it be established on a statutory basis. It would allow the Houses of the Oireachtas and the community to participate in understanding what the programme should entail and putting it into law. It would also allow the programme's operation to have the wider confidence of the community. It would also be more likely to withstand a court challenge.

On a Fine Gael Party's Private Members' motion on crime several weeks ago, I was in broad agreement with Senator Boyle, which may surprise him. He reflected on the wisdom of the approach to the problem in this House and elsewhere. He noted a cycle in which the Opposition attacks through condemnation and the Government responds, claiming there are no difficulties and that the Opposition is only stirring it up, looking for cheap political opportunities. I am not saying the Fine Gael Party's motion was such.