Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I want to raise the issue of the tragic, untimely death of Mr. Wayne Doherty, the 32 year old father of two who lost his life so tragically and whose dying words while he was lying on the street were, "Tell Karen and the children I love them".

This is a tragedy for that family and community and as my colleague, Senator Fitzgerald, said, there have been 16 deaths such as this in recent times. We cannot lose sight of the fact that families are losing their loved ones. This gentleman was in the wrong place at the wrong time, somewhat like Mr. Shane Geoghegan, and the crime bosses are getting away with it. While I support the Government in this legislation to wipe out these crime bosses, the Seanad must be relevant and allowed to debate this very important legislation.

I ask the Leader to ensure that our amendments are debated, because we want to discuss this and put these thugs behind bars. The Seanad should have a say in this. It has become clear, however, that we are to debate this next week when we will be talking to ourselves, as there will be nobody here to hear what we have to say. This will mean our amendments will fall on deaf ears.

I know the Leader is sincere in everything he does and I ask him please to consider this.