The controversial Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill received the overwhelming backing of the Dáil this afternoon as it passed all stages by a majority of 118 to 23.
The legislation aimed at tackling gangland criminals will go before the Seanad next week where it is expected to pass without difficulty.
The Bill allows for the abolition of jury trials for gangland cases and permits gardaí of any rank and former gardaí to give evidence about the existence of a gang.
It has come in for severe criticism from the legal profession, civil liberties groups and Opposition parties, but Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern stoutly rejected all calls for more time to debate the measures.
Fine Gael TDs backed the Government Bill, but justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said he expected Mr Ahern to now address Fine Gael’s warnings about under-resourcing of the Garda and the legal authorities in exchange for the support.
“Fine Gael has supported the Government’s proposals on gangland crime. However, I remain very concerned about the prospect of this Bill surviving a Constitutional challenge or actually managing to be effective in jailing gangsters," Mr Flanagan said