Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question is brief and the matter has been touched on already. It relates to the significant amount of resources used in investigations by the ombudsman commission. A total of 45,000 man-hours are being used at a time when the Commissioner and his gardaí throughout the country are facing cutbacks. Recently, I saw the figures relating to the dramatic downturn in the amount of overtime being paid to gardaí. This shows that the force is crippled for resources. The Commissioner is doing his best with the resources he has, but I question the use of 45,000 man hours to conduct investigations on behalf of the ombudsman commission at a cost of €1.3 million or €9 million since 2007. I appreciate what the Commissioner has stated, that is, that these matters must be investigated and dealt with properly, but what is the view of the Commissioner on the level of resources being taken from the force, as it were? There are so many competing demands on the resources and hours of the Garda. I figured it was okay to ask that question.