Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I appreciate Senator Bacik's giving me time to speak. I feel reticent because most of those who spoke on the Bill are lawyers and I am not. However, I opened a supermarket in Finglas many years ago and one in Limerick a few years ago, and I have been threatened with kidnap while several of our managers have been subjected to "tiger" kidnapping. While I support what the Minister is attempting to do, I wonder do we have to go this far. Are these the correct steps? I agree with the Minister that the murder of Roy Collins was a tipping point, but there have been many other tipping points. We have not had to face this horrific gang activity before. Senator O'Donovan said these are tough but necessary measures. They are tough but are they necessary?

I thought the problem with the juries had been solved because the DPP can certify that a case should go to the Central Criminal Court. If that is so why does the Minister need this extra legislation? I thought the Criminal Justice Act 2006 had solved the problem of witnesses who changed their minds after the gardaí had videotaped their evidence. That was a serious matter of witness intimidation.

The Minister said that 700 jurors might be called but only a handful would turn up.