Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I commend the Leader for calling the meeting today. It deals with this in a cool, calm way, instead of having all-night sessions. Going through this vitally important Bill shows the benefit of having the Senate.

I will not mention names, because the case is before the courts, but I commend the proprietor and those involved in recent events in Dublin. They were very courageous.

I call on the Leader to encourage the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to bring in a new Bill on tiger kidnapping, which he announced yesterday in the Irish Mail on Sunday. He has decided to bring forward a Bill which will result in life imprisonment for those involved in tiger kidnapping. It is a reprehensible crime to hold families of bank officials hostage and to demand a kidnapping fund. The Leader should indicate to the Minister that this House would take that Bill very quickly for him before Christmas. It is an urgent Bill and if we have to meet on Friday or Monday to debate it, we should do so.