THE "unspeakable" murder of Ms Veronica Guerin meant that piecemeal reforms of the criminal justice code were no longer enough, the Minister for Finance said.
"By all means my colleague the Minister for Justice must continue - the praiseworthy changes to the administration of justice she has undertaken," Mr Quinn added. "However, the events of 1996 showed the need for a radical new approach characterised by the seizure of the assets of the criminal drugs barons and their impoverishment."
He said the Criminal Assets Bureau delivered that radical approach. "Now the families, friends and partners of criminals are no longer able to hide behind their own names while at the same time enjoying the proceeds, the property, the assets and the money which the criminals obtain illegally."
On the economy, Mr Quinn said employment was now at its highest level in the State's history. But not everybody was able to benefit to the same extent, and 102,000 people were locked into long term unemployment, 25,000 of them young people.
"Education and training are the keys to returning these most vulnerable of our citizens to full participation in our economy and in our society.
The secretary of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union, Mr Michael O'Reilly, warned that the concept of a third banking force would never be successful unless it won the full support of the organised trade union movement.
"The various institutions who potentially make up the third banking force could face massive reorganisation and job losses. Therefore, much more consultation, information and positive participation is needed with the trade union movement."
The Government is to publish a wide ranging Bill on children shortly, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform announced. Mr Taylor said it would update the law on guardianship, put the wishes of the child up front in custody cases and allow children's evidence to be given through a television link in civil cases.
