Just over a week ago, we had an appalling assassination in north Kildare. It was one of a litany of homicides that have occurred week in and week out this year. It is alleged that the number of deaths in one drug-fuelled spree of appalling killings has reached 19. Is the Minister confident that we have the legislation in place and the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, has the resources to reach out and deal with appalling crimes which have been directed from outside the country? Can the Minister ensure this? I raised this matter with the previous Taoiseach. We seem to be having a general breakdown of law and order on the Minister's watch.

My job as Minister for Justice and Equality is twofold. First, it is to ensure that our legislation is updated and conforms to international best practice and, second, it is to ensure adequate resources for the appropriate agencies, in this case An Garda Síochána. I assure Deputy Broughan that an unprecedented level of funding, to the order of €1.7 billion, is available to An Garda Síochána. I acknowledge the police presence in his constituency and right across the country dealing with the challenge of organised crime. I further assure the Deputy that there is a very high degree of international contact between An Garda Síochána and other police forces and services across Europe. I could, if I had time, acknowledge recent successes in this regard but, in short, I assure Deputy Broughan that the important issues he raises are ones that An Garda Síochána is prioritising. Indeed, this issue was the subject matter of a discussion I had last night with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who has the full support of Government and, I am sure, of the House in his challenge.