Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Fianna Fáil party strongly supports the extension of the powers contained in the motion. I would prefer if we did not need a Special Criminal Court to hear cases but, unfortunately, we do.

During the last debate we discussed the ongoing threat posed by dissident terrorist groups in this country. The scale of gangland crime that is evident in Dublin and other cities is frightening. Last year there was a 35% increase in gang-related murders, with 11 murders in 2011 and 15 murders in 2012. Unfortunately, we need these systems. The Garda needs to apprehend these criminals and we need an effective courts system.

As the Minister of State has rightly pointed out, the background to the legislation is the 2009 Act. The collapse of the Keane trial in Limerick proved that gangland criminals will go to every possible length to avoid prosecution and will intimidate ordinary decent jurors and witnesses. People took an immense risk to carry out their civic duty only to be intimidated out of participating following threats to themselves and their families. That threat is ongoing and, therefore, we need the most effective system possible.

Gangland crime is a particular issue in my area of north Dublin and I have seen the effect that gang-related murders have on a community. There was a great sense of fear when Alan Ryan was shot dead in broad daylight in Clongriffin. Anybody could have been walking by with their children when the shooting took place. It was the same for the murder of Eamon Kelly in Clontarf. These crimes affect the entire community and create a sense of fear. People need to know that when the Garda and the prosecution service catch the people responsible the case will not collapse and that people cannot intimidate jurors in order to avoid a trial. It is for that reason that the legislation was essential when it was first introduced by Fianna Fáil, but we now need an extension.

As far as I understand, all parties except Sinn Féin will support the motion tonight. I am not surprised that the party is unsupportive given its past history and involvement in terrorist activities. That is the reason it has always been opposed to the use of the Special Criminal Court.