Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If Senator Bradford expects this side of the House to remain mute on economic issues, he is in for a surprise.

I would like to mention two issues briefly. First, No. 1, the motion on maritime spatial planning, is worthy of debate. Our fishing quota is about 4% of the EU's total, while we have 22% or 23% of the EU's fisheries area. The coastal area within our jurisdiction is many times the size of the country. The issue is worthy of debate whether it concerns fisheries, gas and oil exploration, or wave energy. While I know it has been agreed to take the motion, we should have a general debate on our coastal spatial strategy.

Second, I am calling for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, to attend the House for a discussion on gangland killings which are spiralling out of control. Such killings are happening nearly every week in Dublin. The Minister has become somewhat immune to what is happening. Some of these gangs are operating with impunity and have no regard for law and order. Some years ago, in Limerick city, a strategy was successfully introduced to target the problem. It was operated by the Garda Commissioner as well as involving political channels, and it brought about a severe crackdown in Limerick. It was successful in that regard, but something similar is now needed for Dublin. We have seen tit-for-tat gangland killings in the capital, which are like the days of Al Capone in 1930s Chicago. The Minister should take control of this situation because it is serious. As my party's spokesperson on justice, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister, Deputy Shatter, should attend the House as a matter of urgency to discuss the ongoing difficulties with gangland crime, especially the gangland murders that are happening almost daily.