Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

A number of people argue that one cannot implement anti-social behaviour orders because of what the Morris report states on the Garda Síochána. That is dangerous and it is a challenge for the Minister and for us all to make the point that we must have confidence in the Garda Síochána. I respect the gardaí in my community and everywhere else. In Tallaght, as in other parts of the country, gardaí have been killed in the course of duty. It is important that we support them.

Wrongdoing happens in all walks of life and we must acknowledge, as the Morris report suggests, that it has occurred in the Garda Síochána. The Minister stated that he is dealing with it and was clear on Friday that he is determined to reform the Garda Síochána in a real way. The majority of gardaí do their job well and need the respect, understanding and support of the community, and it is important we make it clear that this House wants to support the Garda Síochána in every way.

Deputy Finian McGrath, in a reasonable contribution cited by the Minister, referred to the fact that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, under the able chairmanship of Deputy Ardagh, recently visited London. I was proud to be a member of that delegation. We went to Scotland Yard and visited a project in Bexley. Deputy McGrath and I broke away from our other colleagues and went on an operation with a group from the Metropolitan police, which was an amazing experience. I must talk about it at length some day.

We saw what good community policing can do and Deputy McGrath made that point. That is the way forward. We should be supportive of the concept of community policing and tell the Minister that is what he should try to achieve. Ensuring members of the Garda Síochána are highly visible in all our communities would help support them, which is what they want us to do.

It is hoped when the dust settles on this issue that the Garda Síochána feels it has our strong support. Much has been stated on the need to deal with the problems occurring within the force. I am not afraid to make the point that I support independent investigations of garda wrongdoing. We should not be afraid of that. It would give gardaí confidence and would be a significant bridge between gardaí and communities, not only in Tallaght and Dublin South-West but in every community in the State.

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