Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

We support this Bill. My experiences as a public representative mean that I am glad to see such a Bill before the House. The constituency in which I live, Dublin Central, has been utterly terrorised by the existence of gangs and what they have done. My experience leads me to support the aims of this legislation and to support the amendment of Senators Regan and Alex White. There are three points for the Minister to consider.

This Bill allows a garda to offer testimony in court regarding the existence of a gang. I have dealt extensively with chief superintendents in my role as a public representative through community policing fora that were set up in Dublin Central. Any of the chief superintendents I dealt with would be fully aware of the existence of any gangs, who constitutes them and their activities. Based on how these people perform in private and in public meetings, they would have the experience to provide that testimony in court. If we find ourselves in the situation where chief superintendents do not have the expertise or background to put the case in court and survive cross-examination, what is their role in the first place?