Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

I welcome all the witnesses here this afternoon. I concur with the Chair's comments about Garda Flatley. It was a truly horrific incident and I extend my deepest sympathies to the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the membership. I thank the representative organisations for the diligent work they do on behalf of their membership. I know it is very much appreciated by Garda members.

Mr. Slevin mentioned the infamous bicycle incident that happened some time ago. In terms of the new conduct and discipline regulations, if a similar situation was to happen tomorrow, has anything changed in that regard? We discussed the operating model at length last week. I was brutally honest with the Commissioner in that I cannot remember the last time I saw a member of the Garda on foot patrol in either County Monaghan or County Cavan, and I am sure the Chair would concur with me on that. We seem to do a lot of talking about community policing. Everyone recognises the huge importance of visibility and garda presence but, unfortunately, I am not seeing it on the ground. Is that purely down to a lack of membership numbers or what is the story there?

I am very worried by the morale and the feelings of despondence among the membership. That seems to be a lost cause as regard to the representative bodies. From a representative perspective, is that a new development in recent times and has this crept in? I have never seen or witnessed the morale as low among the representative bodies, and indeed the membership, and I wonder what the story is there. Progress on issues as representative bodies seems to be slow. I know they managed to eventually get an agreement on travel and subsistence increases, which were long overdue. Has that happened? Are the new rates for subsistence and travel now in operation? Has that dispute been resolved or have there been delays with that?

Mr. Slevin mentioned pensions and that seems to be a huge issue. Many years ago, when the economy was not functioning as well as it is today, one of the many attractions for people joining the Garda was the security of the pension. That seems to be completely gone now. If either organisation was to give a top three of what needs to be done on retention and recruitment, what would they be?