Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I would rather if the Ceann Comhairle saw his decision to allow this debate as a reflection of the necessity for the House to do justice to the serious report that was expeditiously produced by Mr. Justice Morris.

Nothing in the new Garda Síochána Bill will address the core issue, which is that unaccountable power is a very dangerous thing. That the Bill is before the House at present gives the Government and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform an opportunity to make changes. I ask the Minister to return to the House with proposals that do justice to Mr. Justice Morris's second report and take on board his recommendations. The Government should accept the need for a root and branch investigation of policing by establishing an independent policing commission. If we follow the methodology of Mr. Patten, we will know how long it will take. Certain people are willing to undertake the task of listening to ordinary citizens who, like the overwhelming majority of Members of the House, are entirely disposed to supporting the Garda.

Mr. Justice Morris concluded his report by saying that terrible damage has been done to the Barron and McBrearty families and others. The House should be alarmed by the notion that a number of people could be in prison for a murder that never happened. Deputy Howlin's case, which relates to the protection of a whistleblower, is still before the Supreme Court. The case is still pending in the wake of the two Morris reports. The work of Deputy Howlin and Senator Higgins led to the establishment of the tribunal in the first instance. Mr. Justice Morris states at the end of his report that although serious damage has been done to the Barron and McBrearty families, the greatest damage has been done to conscientious members of the Garda Síochána.

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