Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is entirely false to get a few dates and try to cobble something of that sort together when the Minister has made matters absolutely clear. To try to say the Minister is doing anything other than being entirely supportive of the Garda Síochána by introducing a modern Garda Síochána Bill, having gone through a detailed process and taken account of the issues with which the public, Mr. Justice Morris and this House are concerned in a lengthy debate is fatuous. The criticism is because, having listened to all that, he should have come forward.

Deputy Rabbitte has called the Minister arrogant. If he had not listened to any of the debate and gone through the entire process, introducing amendments beforehand, the Deputy could have said that about the Minister. However, he has waited, listened and had one of the longest debates in the history of the State before bringing forward amendments; yet he is still being described as arrogant. That is an entirely unreasonable approach.

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