Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I add my voice to those on this side of the House who expressed anger and disappointment at the decision of the Government to axe REPS 4. This is on top of the Government axing installation aid and the early retirement scheme. As I have pointed out on debates on agriculture in this House, axing those schemes cost one family in my area €20,000. The family has been bereaved. We recognise that cuts must be made in this economic climate and the axe must fall somewhere but the farming communities are being singled out and that is unacceptable.

The legislation passed last night was masked legislation, masking the problem that the Garda Síochána does not have enough resources to fight organised crime. This is a knee-jerk reaction, pandering to the fears of people who are vulnerable and living in communities overtaken by criminal gangs and thugs. The legislation last night was merely semantics because it did not allow for amendments from the Opposition.