Seanad report:Even though those who murdered gardaí could no longer be executed there should be "capital consequences" for this type of crime, said Eoghan Harris, a nominee of the Taoiseach.
The Garda commissioner should consider the strategic arming and training of gardaí to deal with gangs in parts of Dublin, Cork and Limerick where gang culture had taken hold.
Joining in the condemnation of the shooting of Garda Paul Sherlock in Dublin on Tuesday, Mr Harris said he deplored the intervention of the Garda Ombudsman in the Lusk inquiry into the shooting of two armed raiders.
"This is a part of sending out signals that criminals are somehow victims of society. They are not. They are aggressors against society, and society should be able to deal with them consequentially.
"I do think it is seriously time to protect unarmed members of the Garda Síochána against people who have long ago mentally, psychologically and at every level decided that they are prepared to use lethal force if confronted by our police."
He continued: "There is an incredible amount of political correctness about our society's response to violence, which is founded fundamentally on the delusion of the left that all crime is a function of society's malfunction. The fact is that criminals choose their line of business. Anybody who goes in carrying weapons should be dealt with with the fullest rigour of this society at the sharpest end."
Jim Walsh (FF) said he wanted to add his praise for the courageous manner in which Garda Sherlock had been carrying out his duty. However, he was not as impressed with other events which had taken place on Tuesday with regard to two other gardaí and Lusk.
It was important that the institutions of the State and the two Houses of the Oireachtas stood four-square behind gardaí when they put their lives at risk in the interests of all of us.
"What took place yesterday , in my opinion, was not fulfilling the aspirations that we have in that direction. I think it needs to be said strongly by the people in the Houses."
Ivana Bacik (Ind) said they must all be concerned at the savage attack on Garda Sherlock.
However, she thought it was empty posturing to call for a restoration of capital punishment for such attacks, adding: "I think it is something that the Burmese junta might be quite happy with."