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

There are a number of points I would like to make. I concur with Deputy Brophy. It is important to say that it gives us no satisfaction at all to find ourselves in repeat engagements regarding matters such as this. Our primary role is as legislators and we have a backlog of legislation that no other committee has to contend with, so it is hugely frustrating. If An Garda Síochána feels this, it is not unique. I can say that I found it incredible.

On the PULSE system not being fit for purpose, we have had a number of engagements regarding PULSE, particularly with regard to the false breath test recording. That was very serious given what the whole business of breath testing is about. Lives are at stake. Here we are dealing with a situation relating to homicides - murders - being misrecorded or not being updated in terms of the detail recorded on the PULSE system. I have no doubt that there is a very serious level of public disquiet about all of this. Public confidence has been seriously impacted upon. I repeat what I have said previously, namely, that public confidence in our policing service - An Garda Síochána - is imperative to ensure that Mr. Finn and his colleagues can do the best job possible. We are here in the hope of being able to help in some regard to reach that point. Mr. Finn's point about the PULSE system not being fit for purpose may very well be true but, as Deputy Brophy highlighted and I am now reiterating, it was not the PULSE system that activated 1 million plus false recordings. One changes the system but it is the practice and the people that are at issue. The regularity of false recording, misrecording and not updating suggests a cavalier attitude within the service to the PULSE system. It suggests a less than serious acceptance of the important role and function it can play. Otherwise, why in heaven's name would members of An Garda Síochána participate in false recording, misrecording and not updating records? I cannot think of any other comparable situation where that would be tolerated and accepted. I find it incredible. Yes, it is great to see a new system introduced. I am not going to ask Mr. Finn to respond to this one question. I will put a couple. What is An Garda Síochána doing to arrest this attitude and behaviour within the force? That must happen in tandem with any equipment updating.

Mr. Finn referred to the 41 cases. I welcome what was said but I have a question to pose. Mr. Finn indicated that these cases were investigated. I accept that they were investigated but would a particular classification alter the course of the investigation employed? I do not for a moment suggest any lack of thoroughness. An investigation could be because these are the steps one takes. Chief Superintendent Sutton outlined the different steps that can present. Does a situation arise where because of something being mis-recorded or not being updated, a certain level of investigation and attention to detail were not employed? How would Mr. Finn respond to each of those points?