Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to debate the dreadful gangland murders in Limerick, Dublin and elsewhere. It was indicated yesterday that surveillance legislation may be introduced before the summer of next year. Why has it taken so long for the Minister to take action in respect of thugs and gangland murderers? Why are sentences so short? Why does the maximum sentence not last for more than ten or 12 years? Why is the relevant sentence not 20 years? Why is the Special Criminal Court not being used? Why are these guys allowed to drive around in bulletproof BMWs? Why are they allowed to live in local authority houses? Why are their assets not seized? Why have they been allowed to fly in the face of the law? It seems to me that the Minister has been asleep. Resources have not been provided to the Garda Síochána. It beggars belief that it has taken so long for the Minister to put in place the necessary legislation. I welcome the decision to put in place more checkpoints, to arrest these guys and to seize their assets.

I applaud the people of Limerick and the Munster rugby team for providing such a wonderful spectacle last night. It was a complete contrast to what has been going on in some of the local authority housing estates in that city. It was a demonstration of the wonderful spirit that exists in Limerick. I applaud everyone concerned.