Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I thank my colleagues on the other side of the House for their general support of the Bill. I listened intently to the very fair amendments put forward by Senators Regan and Bacik and to their arguments. Desperate measures are needed to deal with desperate situations. We are talking about very serious crime.

I note the support for the Bill, subject to certain reservations. I listened to the issues raised, including the time limit and whether a superintendent or chief superintendent was required. In a very remote area of west Cork, the two biggest importations of drugs ever seen in the State were intercepted. In one case the Garda came across the drugs by accident because a boat sank, and in the other they found them as a result of intense monitoring by international police with the co-operation of the local authorities. In certain areas of the country, whether west Cork or north-west Donegal, the availability of a chief superintendent or a District Court judge at short notice might not be practical.

I thank my colleagues. I also thank the Minister of State for his in-depth knowledge of the Bill. I am delighted we have come to this conclusion. I have no doubt the fruits of the Bill's success will be seen when drugs barons are put behind bars.