Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stait. Arís, tá an-áthas orm a bheith in ann seasamh anseo le seasamh Shinn Féin a léiriú ar an cheist seo. It is hilarious that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Members are trying to put forward what they see as the Sinn Féin stance on this issue. They are totally off the wall in representing where we stand on it. That does not surprise me because their stance on civil rights issues during the Troubles in the North left much to be desired. They were not as quick to stand up for the civil rights of citizens of the North when they needed to do so. It has been said organised crime remains a significant issue in the State and Sinn Féin is and has been very much opposed to it. It is worth reflecting on the damage it does to communities and people bereaved by crime. We are all familiar with its effect on communities in our constituencies. Very often, crime thrives where there is disadvantage and poverty. The increase in severe disadvantage owing to the Government's policies of austerity is of concern in that regard; however, that is a matter for another day. It is sufficient to say it is the less well-off who are most blighted by the actions of criminals, many of whom have no respect for law and order, on which we are all agreed. However, that is no excuse for the abuse of human rights, which is what the renewal of this legislation is about. That is where we have a fundamental issue with the legislation and let no one misrepresent us on that point.