Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, those issues have been addressed. Reform is necessary now. It is necessary to rebuild the confidence of the public in the force. The Government does not object to the principle or process of consultation. It published the heads of the Garda Síochána Bill in July 2003, when it initiated a public consultation process. It received and took into consideration a report on the Bill prepared by the Irish Human Rights Commission. A lengthy debate on all the Bill's provisions was followed by one of the longest Second Stage debates on any legislation that has been before the House. It is welcome and understandable that Members have such an intense interest in the future progress of the Garda Síochána. The lengthy Second Stage debate was followed by an extensive examination of the Bill on Committee Stage. This Bill was initiated in the Seanad where, following extensive scrutiny, it passed all Stages without a guillotine before being sent to this House.

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