Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"—conscious of the widespread and justified public disquiet at the findings of the first and second reports of the tribunal of inquiry into complaints concerning some gardaí of the Donegal division;

—appreciative of the work of Mr. Justice Morris and of the significance of his recommendations for the future operation of the Garda Síochána;

—noting in particular the tribunal's findings of serious wrongdoing and gross negligence on the part of certain members of the Garda Síochána in the Donegal division;

—convinced of the urgent need for reform of the framework of accountability and oversight of the Garda Síochána;

—recognises the comprehensiveness of the reform measures contained in the Garda Síochána Bill 2004;

—recalls the amendments made to the Bill by both Houses of the Oireachtas in their extensive review of its measures;

in particular welcomes the provisions of the Bill which will:

—establish a Garda Síochána ombudsman commission to independently investigate complaints against members of the force;

—establish a Garda Síochána inspectorate to independently assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the force; and

—establish local policing committees to enhance co-operation between the Garda Síochána and local authorities;

—acknowledges the commitment of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to propose amendments to further strengthen the Bill, in particular through the establishment of a duty on members of the Garda Síochána to account for their official acts; and

—supports the urgent passage into law of the Bill."

I listened with a degree of amazement and sadness to the contributions of Deputies Rabbitte and Costello because the one thing absent was any sense of balance or recognition of the contribution the majority of gardaí have made to this country.

See this speech in context