Today's Order of Business is item 1, Committee and Final Stages, until 1 o'clock and, if it is not concluded by then, it will be taken in the afternoon. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and item 2 will be taken at 2 o'clock. I suggest ten minutes per speaker on item 2, but I will change that if necessary.
Order of Business.
Perhaps the Leader might allow Members to speak for 15 minutes on item 2.
In all my time in politics I have never seen such anger as there was about yesterday's murder. I ask the Leader to ensure that the Minister and the Government are aware of the deep felt anger among the people. Resources should be made available to deal with the crime problem.
I second what Senator Wright said about the appalling murder of Veronica Guerin. She was one of the few reporters who pointed out on television that social deprivation was extraordinarily important in the area of crime she was investigating. I corresponded with her on that area to which she was committed.
I kept quiet yesterday about the review of safety at sea. I cannot understand why these reviews are not sent to Members of the Oireachtas. Every newspaper gets a copy of each review and they are able to comment on it. However, when they telephone us for our opinions, we are unable to discuss it because we have not seen it. Reviews should be sent to every Member of the Oireachtas first.
Members may speak for 15 minutes on item 2, which is a timely debate.
I agree with the Leader of the Opposition about the anger felt throughout the community following yesterday's horrific assassination. There is also a realisation that there must be new ways to tackle these problems. We must look at other countries to see how they are tackling them. We must ensure that resources are available and that the balance of advantage in the war against crime shifts from the criminal to the wider community. There is widespread agreement and expectation on all sides of the House that the anger we feel should be translated into effective action as quickly as possible. We are looking at new legislation in this regard which is based on the realities of today rather than on textbook ideologies of 30 or 40 years ago.
Senator Fitzgerald is right; the safety at sea regulations should have been circulated to Members. I will contact the Department of the Marine immediately and ensure that happens.
Order of Business agreed to.