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

I wish to state again that I am filled with disgust at what happened yesterday evening on the Border between Cavan and Fermanagh. As Chair of the committee, I extend my very best wishes to Kevin Lunney, his wife and family and his work colleagues at Quinn Industrial Holdings. It was a horrific experience for Mr. Lunney and all associated with him, especially his loved ones. I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

I wish to record my thanks for the note received since our last engagement with the Commissioner on a matter I raised regarding a gentleman who was seriously injured following a Garda operation on Dublin Street in my home town. The only critical point I will reflect is that I am advised that the injured man was not a target of the Garda operation. I welcome that clarification, which is important for my community and the man in question.

I intended to raise several matters but I will confine myself to a brief selection. On the reform process, I am my party's spokesperson on disability rights. I have been made aware that the Templemore training programme for new recruits does not incorporate what I would regard as disability awareness training. Such training should not be confined to new recruits. It is more widely needed. As national disability spokesperson and vice chair of the Oireachtas all-party disability group, I am aware of instances when people with specific disabilities that are not immediately apparent had less than satisfactory experiences with members of the Garda. An incident recently referred to me involved a person who has an acquired brain injury, although that is not immediately apparent in his demeanour. He is unaware that it sounds like he is shouting when he is responding and conversing. He was threatened with pepper spray and a baton. That is a real case, not constructed or contrived. I reference it only to encourage that disability awareness training in all its dimensions be incorporated into the Templemore programme and, indeed, for serving members in whatever way it can be rolled out.