Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will return to the Deputy's other question in a minute. On the issue of pensions, Mr. Justice Morris stated that people should hold on to their pensions as to do otherwise would have serious implications for the future investigation of disciplinary matters in the force.

Since the first report was published last year, the Minister has reviewed the Bill. His amendments now take into account what the Minister and his Department believe would normally happen. They consider that the best way to try to improve the force's accountability and to have an inspectorate to deal with the force. Perhaps the amendment the Minister proposes to introduce on Committee Stage should not be necessary but it is necessary that gardaí are obliged to account for themselves.

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