Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to the replay between Galway and Kilkenny on Sunday that I hope will be a thriller as well. Like others today, I pass on my sympathy to the people who have lost their lives in heinous circumstances. I look forward to a Garda response and have no doubt that, as in previous times, this response will be appropriate. We saw a situation in my neighbouring city of Limerick where crime had got completely out of hand. The Special Branch and other Garda units moved in and dealt with it. There are now in excess of 60 thugs in jail, which has removed much of the criminality from the streets of Limerick and has meant the citizens can live in some sort of peace.

I would like to see the same happen in Dublin and other areas. It is unacceptable that this thuggery continues, where people are just gunned down in broad daylight in front of children on the main streets of our cities and towns. I am sure the Cathaoirleach remembers a time when there was a thing called internment in this country. If the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence was to recommend the introduction of internment to deal with the current problem, I would be the first to support him. I would like the Leader to convey to the Minister that if he and the Garda believe primary legislation is required to deal with this thuggery on our streets, I am sure Seanad Éireann would be quite happy to facilitate the initiation of such legislation in this House.