Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach's good self on becoming Chair of this committee.

I look forward to working with him in the term ahead. The last time I attended a meeting he was chairing was back in the days of Monaghan County Council. I have no doubt that he will conduct affairs in a fair manner.

The Cathaoirleach mentioned a number of matters in his opening address. I express my sincere sympathies to the family of Garda Kevin Flatley, who gave up his life for this country. He was the 90th member of An Garda Síochána to do so and that shows the dangers associated with the job. In very few occupations are people who go out to work in the morning at risk of losing their lives before they return home in the evening. To his wife, his two children and his mum and dad, I am sure I speak for us all in expressing our heartfelt sympathies. They have many long and dark days ahead of them and I wish them well on that journey.

I come to this committee with an open mind on all the issues the Cathaoirleach has mentioned, including in respect of the Garda and its representative bodies. It will be important for the committee at the first opportunity to invite representatives to address it and to give us their first-hand experience of the day-to-day life of a member of An Garda Síochána, regardless of rank. That would be useful.

I look forward to an open and frank discussion of all matters relating to migration. As I said, I come here with an open mind. I am here to listen to all sides of the argument. We all want a fair system under which applications are turned around in a speedy manner. Thankfully, under the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, we are seeing progress in that regard. I look forward to that progress continuing.

I look forward to working with all my colleagues on the justice committee. Senator McDowell and I soldiered on the equivalent committee in the previous term. I look forward to working with him and all my other colleagues, including the executive. I see Mr. Alan Guidon is back. I worked with him in the previous term. I must say that the secretariat was always super efficient and provided a great service. I have no doubt that the new group will do likewise.