Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

It is important to emphasise that the Morris tribunal was established to inquire into the nefarious activities of some members of the Garda Síochána in Donegal. The Morris report refers to a minority of gardaí who have been responsible for bringing dishonour to the force and undermining public confidence in it. The public confidence in the Garda Síochána needs to be restored and surgery needs to be undertaken to remove the corrupt cancer that knaws at the force. Many people think the report reflects badly on the force. Neither law-makers nor law enforcers should be above the law.

Since its inception the Garda Síochána has gained a well-merited reputation for being close to the people and representative of their culture and outlook. It is in the best interests of more than 12,000 gardaí that any hint of wrongdoing be eradicated from the force. If I were a young member of the Garda Síochána or if I were training in Templemore, I would have second thoughts about the career I had chosen. It is bound to affect morale and the quicker this is dealt with, the better.

The role of Ministers, Attorneys General and senior officers in the Department should also be subject to scrutiny. The revelations in Donegal underline the need for a totally independent and transparent office of police ombudsman, similar to that obtaining in Northern Ireland, to impartially investigate complaints against the Garda Síochána. It is noteworthy that rank and file gardaí want this type of independent office. They do not want to be investigated by other members of the force. The establishment of such an office would be the greatest single act to restore confidence in the Garda Síochána. The proposed ombudsman is a watered down version of what we really want.

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