Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Commissioner and his team for being here. I wish to acknowledge, as Deputy Donohoe also did, the co-operation that we, as public representatives, receive from An Garda Síochána. It is generally of an exemplary level and if it could be replicated by other State agencies and bodies, both I and those whom I represent would be very grateful. I thank An Garda Síochána for that level of co-operation even in difficult and tense times.

The Commissioner has addressed the penalty points issue at length. It is regrettable that some people were in such a rush to refer to this investigation and report as a whitewash. They could not possibly have read it at the time they were making such declarations because it was before the report was published.

I fully agree with the Commissioner on the issue of discretion. Deputy Ross is not here now. If one were to adopt the approach of having to take everything through the courts, not only would it block up the courts system, one would also see some difficult and possibly emotional cases where people had genuine reasons. Community policing has served this country well.

I bet that when the Commissioner got up this morning, he probably did not realise he would be involved in so many spats. I will add one more to his list, which concerns the ongoing engagement between himself and Garda management and the GRA and AGSI in the context of the LRC negotiations. I know the Commissioner cannot read out the secret document for good reasons, but he might update the committee on where he currently believes the discussions are from the viewpoint of Garda management.