Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of sentencing policy and the increased use of firearms in this city. On Tuesday at 4.30 p.m., in broad daylight, armed raiders entered a McDonalds in Crumlin village and terrorised both staff and customers. This is a quiet residential area where firearms would never be seen.

In 2009 minimum mandatory sentences were brought in to deal with firearms and they had a certain welcome effect. However, I believe we need to go further. I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for first-time offenders. We need to update and strengthen our sentencing laws in regard to gun crime. It is commonplace in this city for gardaí and drug lords to don their bullet proof vests every morning before going to work. The carrying of firearms seems to have become commonplace on the streets of our city. We have to ask what we can do to ensure that the possession of firearms does not become commonplace among our citizens. I ask the Minister to attend the House for a proper debate about strengthening sentencing laws in regard to firearms and codifying and making consistent firearms law in order to protect our citizens and communities.