The Garda Commissioner has said there is something in the fact that more than 3,000 people voted in the General Election for the head of an organised crime group that has to be addressed.
Drew Harris pointed out that Gerard Hutch, who narrowly missed out on the last seat in Dublin Central, is facing an organised crime investigation and gardaí are assisting the Spanish authorities in the inquiry.
He says we live in a liberal democracy and people should have respect for the State, the Constitution and the rule of law within that.
There is something there around the communication of being a citizen in this society, he said, and what it means in terms of the responsibilities placed on them.
Commissioner Harris also said the motives as to why people voted for Mr Hutch are not clear to him, but he does not think that people could have been ignorant of him and all that he has been associated with down the years.
He said he did not think it was a problem with information or An Garda Síochána but a society problem of an attitude towards criminality.
The most concerning thing, he said, is that an individual like Mr Hutch receives so much support from the electorate.
Hutch media attention 'incredible' - Taoiseach
The Taoiseach, meanwhile, described as "incredible" that Mr Hutch received almost more media attention than the party leaders during the general election.
Simon Harris said a convicted criminal who has brought so much misery to so many communities was treated like "a celebrity" with people at the airport to "welcome him back" from Spain where he is under investigation for alleged money laundering.
He also said people in politics need to reflect on the disaffection that people and communities can feel from the political system.
He also pointed out that we live in a democracy where anyone can put their name on the ballot paper and said it was "good" that Mr Hutch did not get elected.
He said it was the job of the Garda Commissioner and gardaí to tighten the net on serious criminals.
The Taoiseach also rejected comparisons between Mr Hutch and the Independent TD Michael Lowry who was convicted of tax offences and fined and against whom findings were made by the Moriarity Tribunal.
He said there were "fundamental differences" between them and "people can work that out".
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