Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Bacik and Senator Daly who asked for a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, on policing, in particular some of the issues that have been raised about covering substitute leave. I am conscious that in recent years during our economic difficulties, great effort and resources were put into encouraging people to leave the public service. As a result, many very experienced gardaí left.

The retirement age of gardaí is something that must be examined. We are losing much experience built up over the years at far too early an age. We must keep some experienced personnel on board for a longer period. The entire area must be examined. I heard a statistic a couple of years ago that in a very busy station in the city of Dublin, the most experienced officer had a mere seven years service. We have lost much valuable experience from the Garda Síochána at management level also.

I very much support the comments of Senator Mooney on coverage of ladies' sporting events by RTE. There should be equality. I have no issue with English soccer getting coverage because there is much support and a huge interest in this country for soccer as long as there is equality of coverage for our national games and in particular for ladies' games.

I welcome the Government approval of new patient safety measures and that a simplified complaints procedure will be put in place. Currently, patients find the complaints system complicated and they are often sent to a variety of agencies. Under the new system, the individual will make a complaint to a particular hospital or care agency and if he or she is not satisfied then he or she will have an opportunity to go to the health ombudsman. The change is very much to be welcomed because many patients experience difficulties in the health system in this country and if they make a complaint they want to get a response promptly and efficiently. The new system, which is less complicated, will bring a better and more speedy response. I hope it will also help to improve the health service when the providers know that the patient will get a prompt response.