asked the Minister for Justice the number of people charged with murder or unlawful killing; if he will specify the number in each category; and if he will give the comparative figures for the last five years.

It is assumed that the term unlawful killing is intended to refer to infanticide and manslaughter but not manslaughter arising from traffic accidents. On that basis the information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

Does the Minister agree that these figures are totally unacceptable and are the direct result of the absence of suitable deterrents? Does he also agree that the time has come for the reintroduction of the death penalty for murder and kidnapping?

The Deputy will appreciate that the original question was purely statistical and that the supplementary, therefore, does not arise.

The whole country is awaiting the answer to that question.

The Deputy should have put down that question.

Would the Deputy not appreciate that his own party's point of view has been totally contrary to what the Deputy is suggesting?

He would not be the only Deputy in this House in that position, and not just about this subject.

Why have the figures for manslaughter in traffic accidents been excluded from the Minister's reply?

The statistics given for murders relate to crimes classified as murder by the Garda in the Crime Report and would be based on charges brought in accordance with the definition of murder under section 4 (1) of the Criminal Justice Act. Unlawful killings would include manslaughter, suicide, infanticide and genocide. The Deputy's question has been taken to refer to manslaughter and infanticide but not to include manslaughter arising from traffic accidents. There is no statutory definition of manslaughter but it is commonly understood to involve the killing of another person without malice aforethought.

Does the Minister consider that it is appropriate that killing in a traffic accident, which is killing without malice aforethought but is still unlawful killing, should not be included in these figures?

The interpretation of the question resulted in the answer being presented as it was. I will have a look at the points raised by Deputy Mac Giolla and will be in touch with the Deputy on the matter.