Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Neither I nor the Government can guarantee the constitutionality of the Bill. We bring forward legislation on the advice of the Attorney General. The latter is absolutely satisfied that the Bill will pass constitutional muster. Immediately following the murder of Roy Collins on 9 April, I clearly indicated that we intended to bring forward this legislation. The Taoiseach and I held a joint press conference on 13 May at which we issued a press release containing all of the details relating to the Bill. The only matter which is not contemplated in the Bill, but which was referred to in that press release, is that relating to membership of a criminal organisation. We were of the view that such membership would be impossible to prove, particularly in light of the surreptitious nature of these criminal organisations.

I reject the premise that we did not have enough time to debate the Bill.