Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

The fact that there is witness intimidation is well known. Leaving that aside, however, I wish to raise with the Leader an article I read which stated that certain lawyers - either solicitors or barristers - are acting in concert with some of these criminal gangs. That is extremely worrying if it is factually correct, and it should be investigated. Most lawyers, whether barristers or solicitors, have knowledge of where judges live, their movements, the times of sittings and how they access courthouses. If there is any element of truth to this report, it is the most worrying aspect of the whole debate. We can debate the legislation at length either this week or next week when it comes before us.