Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with much of what Senator Chambers said. This is wide-ranging legislation that makes a great deal of change. The Senator’s specific point on the security aspect of appointments at the highest level of An Garda Síochána is well made and deserves attention. We are very fortunate that we have people of the highest calibre and of great intelligence serving within the ranks of An Garda Síochána. I am sure they have collectively the ability and capability to undertake any tasks, as history has shown us and no doubt we will see in the future. When these appointments arise, we have to make sure the net result is that we get the best people for the jobs. If that means looking elsewhere, that is fine but we should think long and hard before we leave our own shores, so to speak. As I said, people of the highest ability in the ranks of An Garda Síochána have served this nation well over the years and I have no doubt we still have people who are capable of performing any role up to and including the rank of Garda Commissioner.

This is a massive, far-reaching Bill that changes many things. As Senator Chambers mentioned, Fianna Fáil Senators have tabled amendments, as have colleagues on the other side of the House, on issues relating to the new community policing body being set up to replace the JPCs.We sincerely hope the Minister will look favourably upon them. We need accountability in all of these organisations.

Accountability in regard to what we are talking about is vitally important. Nobody is more accountable than the elected representatives across all ranges of Irish society. We are very fortunate that we have people of the highest calibre serving on local authorities. They are accountable unlike no one else on the committee in that they have to put themselves before the people every five years to get re-elected if that is their wish. They are not contactable 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but they are contactable 24-7. They are the only people on the new committee the Minister is putting together who will be contactable 24-7. We should think long and hard before we dispense of their expertise and local knowledge. They play a vital part in our local democracy and it is important that every strand of democracy that we have has people who are accountable, including on that committee.