The Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, has said the gardaí should be given time to act against armed criminals before the Government considers introducing draconian measures.
Yesterday the Taoiseach suggested that the Special Criminal Court could be used to try those suspected of gang-related crime.
Mr Lenihan was responding to official crime figures which show there has been a 50% increase in the number of murders in the past three months compared to the same period last year.
A total of 21 people were murdered in July, August and September, seven more than the same period last year.
In the 12 months up to 1 October, 70 people were victims of murder or manslaughter, an increase of 4.5%.
There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of threats and attempted murders, up from 19 to 51 over the last three months.
The figures also show a substantial increase in gang-related activity with figures for drugs and gun crime also up.
The CSO recorded crime figures show increases in all the main crime categories indicating not only an increase in garda activity but also a growth in organised crime.
Drug dealing offences are up over 26%, while gun crime has also significantly worsened.
Sexual offences, thefts, robberies and burglaries are down but the number of violent assaults so far this year is up on last year.
