Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe asked me if I would consider the question of a security committee and I have said I will. I intend to act on his suggestions. I also intend to change the Bill on the internal audit unit and to establish a professional standards unit within the Garda Síochána. I will make it possible to second into the Garda Síochána people from police forces other than the Police Service of Northern Ireland in response to points made on Committee Stage. Section 114 provides for independent external members constituting a majority of every promotions board at every level in the Garda Síochána. These are the reforms I will introduce.

On the points made about access to security records in Garda stations by the ombudsman commission, I will bring forward further amendments to ensure it is not abused in the way in which Senator Maurice Hayes pointed out, where, if a liberal view was taken, every Special Branch record could be viewed as a State security record. I will deal with those issues.

I have listened carefully to the debate in both Houses of this Parliament. I have listened carefully to the submissions made on Committee Stage. I listened to Deputy Rabbitte's point even when the Bill was in gestation about the need to introduce local authority accountability. I told him I would do it and I have done it. I intend to reform the Garda Síochána and to give it the leadership it needs now.

See this speech in context