Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Thank you very much. We will bring the session to conclusion. I apologise to the other committee. There has to be a 15-minute break and the next committee is scheduled for 1.15 p.m. They are losing the time; we are not making a gain.

It is important to say that there is a general view in respect of the breath test situation. It was not a rash reaction. Unquestionably, there is a strong view, within the committee and across the populace, that at some level this did not simply break out. It was blessed. It may have even been blessed for good reasons in the context of a population being more aware of the situation relating to drink driving. However, it was an absolute abuse. It was wrong in the first instance. The extent of it is so absolutely wrong, I cannot say other than that.

On behalf of the committee I wish to thank you, Deputy Commissioner Twomey, and each of your colleagues for attending today and for your engagement.

When we were talking about road safety I was aware that a colleague of yours was injured this morning. You also lost an international police service colleague in a serious and sad traffic accident in County Wexford earlier in the week. We extend our sympathies to the Alexander family and to your fellow serving officers and colleagues in the United States.

On behalf of the committee I wish you all the very best for the special season before us and for 2018. I hope that the shared expectation and hope of a better future – I will not use the expression "a new beginning" - in terms of the policing service that An Garda Síochána provides lies before us. Your efforts are central to all of that.