Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join previous speakers in raising the heinous crimes that have occurred in recent days. The mind boggles that children witnessed these crimes. If one thinks of children one knows being in such a situation, it simply beggars belief and I join Senators MacSharry and Mullins in calling for a debate in this House on the issue. The most worrying aspect is people in Ireland are becoming somewhat desensitised to crimes of this nature. I am happy to state I remember a time when murders and crimes of this type were really unusual and rare and it is of huge concern that something of a lack of respect for human life is entering our society. Huge concern does not even cover it. However, in the recent past the Garda has made many strides to combat organised and gangland crime in particular. I note the Garda representatives speaking on radio today genuinely are upset and disappointed by these recent crimes. It is to be hoped they are coincidental and are not linked in any way. While one must ensure the Garda has the resources, it can happen that these were coincidental heinous crimes. In any case, I would welcome a debate on the issue. While I do not believe it would be reasonable to expect the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into this House today, the Leader could arrange a debate on the matter in the near future.