Alex White (Labour)

While I have given way on several occasions in the spirit of debate, I will not be interrupted by the Minister this time, nor will I have him portray me, my party or anyone else as being less committed to dealing with these gangs, murders or threats to our society than is he. I will not accept that for a moment. In this instance, it is clear that I am talking about a particular section of the Bill. The question for Members is whether the measures contained therein are necessary, namely, to remove a large number of trials from the ordinary courts and send them to the Special Criminal Court although such trials could continue to be dealt with in the ordinary courts. This is the issue being dealt with at present and to which this section pertains. There is no way that either Deputy Rabbitte or Deputy Gilmore agreed to that. The Labour Party tabled this amendment in both Houses in order that a particular safeguard should be included and a particular procedure put in place in respect of the circumstances in which such trials should go to the Special Criminal Court. That is what the record shows.