Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for coming before the committee. I will speak from my experience of working in another area. Regarding Dr. Geoffrey Shannon's report, I worked with a family who had a child about who they were very concerned and the way the Garda members treated the family was fantastic. One garda in particular gave them unbelievably good support, more than Tusla, social services or any of the other organisations. In my own experience in that area, they were absolutely fantastic.

I will not ask any questions about the breath-testing.

I feel like we have been here loads of time previously and I would like to move on from it. I would like for it not to happen again and I would like to refer to Mr. Ó Cualáin's comments about the culture within the Garda. I imagine it is quite toxic and this is of concern. He referred to the culture changing, better training, resources and systems and providing a better police service to the public. How will all this happen? It will be a huge undertaking. What needs to be done? What does he intend to do in this regard? Could he give us an idea? It would be great to apply the model the Garda uses for children in other areas.

I am specifically interested in the area of addiction. I would like those in addiction to receive a little more empathy and compassion from gardaí, as well as older people and victims of crime. This should be examined because that is where we need gardaí to be to the fore. We need that feeling of security. How does Mr. Ó Cualáin think he can change the culture? What does he need to do around it?