Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

It is only in recent times that the Minister has accepted some of the points made to him by some of us over several years. I brought to his attention on more than one occasion the use of senior gardaí in totally inappropriate areas, as did other Members. Let us not cod ourselves about who is responsible for deployment.

While we are on the subject, I do not want Ministers telling the House they have no responsibility for a certain matter and that it is the responsibility of some official. It is the responsibility of the Minister who sits in this House, and nobody else's. It is time this was recognised. Far too often, as when answering written questions, Ministers claim they have no responsibility. That is right; they have little responsibility and they are showing it. The sooner Ministers come to grips with the situation, recognise and accept their responsibilities, and do something about them, the better for themselves and everybody else.

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