James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Commissioner. I have a few other questions, and I will ask them in a block and allow the Commissioner to answer them in this way as well. I am mindful of the time because we have to move on from member to member swiftly.

In my introductory remarks, I mentioned the suggestions made on last night's "Prime Time" programme by a representative of the Garda Representative Association, GRA. I have heard from many other sources as well, though, that individual gardaí were being called up not through a central command communication but through messages sent from colleague to colleague to say they needed help and to come into their local station. Is the Commissioner aware of this aspect? Is this what happened or was a central command sent out? I understand members of the force were requested to travel from as far away as the west coast, in counties Sligo and Mayo, and elsewhere around the country. Is it correct that members were just volunteering themselves? If they were, I commend them. Was this in the absence of a command or in addition to it?