Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House for this important debate on gun crime. The Minister's outline of the current position and what needs to be done was reasonable, measured and calm, as acknowledged by Senator Quinn. I welcome his indication of the Government's intention to legislate for control of handguns. We all must take account of Mr. Justice Peter Charleton's statement that the proliferation of handguns is something about which any reasonable person must have concerns.

If we allow a gun culture to develop in the State——