Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

It is like wanting to change the side of the road on which we drive — these matters are slow to change. It is better to get them right than to get them done quickly. Having reviewed the Garda Síochána Bill I have grave reservations about too many people doing the one job. The Minister may give direction and we also have the ombudsman commission and the Garda Commissioner. I am concerned that the Garda will become an introverted body. The Commissioner will see it as "us against them". He will have too many layers over him. I ask the Minister to reconsider this matter. Ultimately we need to give certain autonomy to the Garda Commissioner. We cannot have everybody checking everybody. We do not need that many checks. We certainly need to check on every system. If we are to have too many groups looking over the shoulder of the Garda Commissioner he and his force will become introverted.

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