Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. This is a very important provision in legislation and I would like to see it receive unanimous support.

We have all seen the horror of organised crime in this country. A county next to my own - Limerick - is a place in which gardaí have done an enormous job dealing with organised crime. They have been able to use the relevant provisions to bring people to justice. My own county has been affected by some of the organised crime that has taken place in Limerick over the years. Events last weekend where a six year old child was caught up in a shooting incident appalled the nation. I reiterate the call by the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, for anyone with information to come forward. It was one of those crimes that showed us the need to do everything we can to protect people who are prepared to give evidence.

Juries are part of a modern democracy and a modern justice system. Unfortunately, when jurors are intimidated, as has happened, other actions must be taken.

Other actions must be taken. Until such time as organised crime ceases to be a threat to the citizens of this country, this measure is imperative. I have every confidence in An Garda Síochána in dealing with organised crime. It has already had significant success in Limerick. I have absolute confidence that it will get on top of the scourge of organised crime in Dublin as well but it needs our assistance. We can assist it in this House by supporting this measure because it is obviously deemed necessary as part of the suite of measures to tackle the scourge in urban and rural society.