Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem is that all these discussions are taking place against the backdrop of a massive lack of confidence in An Garda Síochána and members' discretionary powers. That makes it difficult. I was arrested under suspicion of drink driving a number of years ago. I was not and was well under the limit but when I was leaving the station the sergeant told me to come back when I was sober. What is to say under other circumstances the sergeant could say, "You are a danger to yourself and others"? It is probably an extreme example but it relates to the lack of confidence in the Garda in terms of this discretion.