Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

The issue is simple. The amendments brought forward at this late stage by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform are either of substance or not. The Minister has claimed that they are dramatic and are a response to the reports of the Morris tribunal. On that basis, the amendments are substantial. If that is the case, they deserve to be debated properly. The way to do that is through a Committee Stage debate. For that reason, I support the proposal of my colleague, Deputy Costello, to recommit the Bill.

A number of issues should be mentioned. There are issues to be dealt with by the Garda Síochána arising from the reports of the tribunal. Changes must be made. We need to put the Garda Síochána under the microscope and we must ensure there is proper transparency and accountability. At the same time, however, we must not trample on the rights of the 12,000 men and women who serve in the Garda Síochána and whose morale is now at its lowest ebb.

Two of the proposed amendments from the Minister might be necessary but they must be properly discussed. One of the amendments involves the summary dismissal of an existing member of the Garda Síochána——

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