Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Bacik in condemning in the strongest way possible the appalling murders we saw in recent days. It was especially horrific that they were carried out in the presence of young children. We can just imagine the long-lasting damage that will cause vulnerable young people. We need a debate on organised crime. It is obvious that, in the main, organised crime in this country is linked to the drugs trade. We all know of the many lives being destroyed and the significant health issues and costs to our health service. There are murders almost every week and we are all aware of suicides because of pressures put on people to pay drug related debts. There is a major crisis related to organised crime. We must consider whether our sentencing regime is adequate. We must see whether the Criminal Assets Bureau is as effective as we would like in confiscating the proceeds of organised crime.

I would like to know if the Revenue Commissioners are doing their job in ensuring those people are tax compliant and not benefiting from the proceeds of organised crime. This is a major issue and the number of murders that have taken place gives grave cause for concern. We, therefore, need a discussion on organised crime and how the justice system is structured and whether it is fit for purpose in today's violent criminal world.