John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

——at the age of 50 having given 30 years' service. If he were to indicate that they could tap into their gratuity, that would be welcome because those members are a huge loss. They are just waiting for an offer from the Minister. If they got a gratuity cheque and were employed on day shifts, I am certain they would return.

The annual report for 2003 was published towards the end of 2004. It took almost one year for the Garda to compile its annual report. With that level of inefficiency we will not see the publication of the 2004 annual report until next Christmas.

With regard to accountability, I am delighted the Minister is now seeing the type of accountability we experience in the Committee of Public Accounts regarding the responsibility of the Accounting Officer. There should be accountability in every Garda district in terms of the way funding is spent and the level of service provided.

On the inadequate Garda facilities, the gardaí are using third-rate vehicles.

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