Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join Members in offering sympathy to the family of Ms Jastine Valdez. It is a beautiful part of the country and it is hard to imagine that a young lady walking along and minding her own business could be grabbed and murdered. I also offer my sympathy to the family of Mark Hennessy whose wife and two children will be left trying to explain matters to themselves if it is proved that he killed this girl. I cannot begin to imagine what those children will grow up thinking of their father. While it is easy to show sympathy for the person who was murdered, we must also have some respect for the family of the murderer.

I note also that there has been a rush to judge the actions of the garda who fired the shots.None of us can make any judgment on that case. None of us was there. None of us knew what was going on. I commend the garda for doing what he thought was right at the time. Time will tell whether the decision he took, obviously, a split-second decision, was the right one.

Yesterday, in Galway, the Minister for Finance delivered a speech on insurance and the insurance industry and it was most impressive. The work that is being done on insurance, particularly for young drivers, is quite impressive. I understand there has been as much as a 20% drop in premiums in some cases. That is good work. However, the Minister told the assembly in Galway yesterday that there is urgent legislation needed and he is ready to move on some immediately. He stated there were four pieces of legislation. While there is a need from time to time to have statements in this House on various issues, can we shorten the statements and find time to start introducing the Minister's legislation? It is important that we get that legislation before the House. I would ask the Leader to consider that and let us know.