Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Opposition Members have had plenty of time to discuss this issue. They do not want, under the circumstances, to give up the notion of ministerial accountability, but they wish to divest the Minister of any real authority in the matter and to give it to a group of the great and the good who would carry out this function.

That is the real problem with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's amendment No. 42. It is predicated on the establishment of bord an Gharda Síochána to act as an independent police authority.

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