Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was breezing through the report and the page that is open in front of me relates to the Garda Síochána. Obviously we have been very much engaged with issues in respect of Garda and Garda accountability and how the Government handled the latest Garda controversy.

Recommendation No. 26 is that the insurance industry actually funds a section of the Garda Síochána. I know this was drafted. I can understand the intention and one could argue that if there are major sporting or community events they have to provide a contribution towards that. However, what is being put forward is something different: it is a specialised and dedicated insurance fraud unit in the Garda Síochána, funded by the industry. This is not a contribution to policing of a community event. This is basically defining those policing the event as the Garda insurance squad and the insurance industry pays their wages. I think that is very risky. I can understand the sentiment behind it, which is to question whether the insurance sector should make a contribution or pay a levy. When one has that type of direct engagement between members of the Garda Síochána and the industry that pays them, I think it is quite risky and we should pause.

It is one of the recommendations that did not jump out at me earlier on. I am now issuing a very clear warning in this regard.