David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All of us, including the Minister, are in agreement that a centralised recording system would be better. His point is that he does not want to get into a situation where he is involving himself in the operational matters of the Garda. However, it is a little more straightforward and not as complicated as he makes out. It is central to the effectiveness of the Bill we are bringing forward. If we are bringing forward the legislation and the Minister has the power to give the Garda the powers in this Bill but there is a flaw that could be a problem, we obviously have a duty to point it out. We are talking about people who might protest at premises A in Cork and who might end up the following day or a week later in premises B in counties Kerry, Cork or Waterford. That is one problem. There is another problem whereby even at the same premises, if a garda changes shift or a different garda comes and offers different warnings, the whole situation could quickly become a mockery. That is the problem.

I am taken by what the Minister said about the potential of an alternative amendment to that proposed by Deputy Shortall to the effect that we could have a more extensive review and this warning system would form part of it. On that basis, I am happy to withdraw my amendments. I will do so if the Minister gives a clear commitment that this issue will form part of a review and that there will be discussions between him and the Minister for Justice on the possibility of putting in place a centralised system over time, however long it takes. There could be engagement with the Garda in that respect. It would be desirable and important. If we can build this issue into the alternative amendment and process that the Minister will talk to us about in a moment, I would be happy to withdraw my two amendments.