Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I made the suggestion on the basis that if the recommendations of the second report of the Morris tribunal and the extent of the Garda Síochána Bill were examined by a three person committee with international experience, it could report by the end of September which would allow the Government to enact an effective, modern and acceptable Garda Bill by the end of the year. The Taoiseach claims repeatedly that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is convinced that his Garda Síochána Bill will work. However, Mr. Justice Morris made recommendations that are not contained in it. Given that the Minister, a former Attorney General, and the gardaí advising him are intrinsically linked with the seriousness of the Morris tribunal, is the Taoiseach convinced that the Garda Síochána Bill will be effective? Is the Government happy that the Bill will work?

Does the Taoiseach wish to put paid to rumours circulating that he had a serious row with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about the continuation in office of senior gardaí? People are concerned that another McBrearty case may occur. They are worried that structures will not change sufficiently to have accountability, transparency and professionalism in the Garda. Morale in the force is down. Those men and women who do their best for the State in their public service as gardaí feel somewhat disillusioned by the wooliness that now surrounds this matter.

The Garda Síochána Bill must be suspended on Report Stage so that it can be analysed and the Morris tribunal recommendations taken into account. It can then be brought before the House before the end of September so that an effective Garda Bill can be enacted. It must be removed from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who seems to be gung ho on a range of other issues.

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