Dáil debates

Thursday, 23 June 2005

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed).

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán CuffeCiarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I support the amendment. The late US President Eisenhower had a sign on his desk saying "The buck stops here." The buck must stop somewhere. With regard to the ombudsman, it must stop at some individual's desk. It cannot stop at such a diffuse arrangement as a majority of an ombudsman commission.

We do not have to look far for an appropriate model. If Nuala O'Loan, in her position as police ombudsman, is good enough for Sinn Féin in the north of this island, a similar arrangement should be good enough for us. The Green Party proposes amendments based on the Northern Ireland legislation because we do not believe a committee, a commission or any other form of quango is appropriate. The office must have the authority, trust and clout to deliver. I am not convinced this legislation offers this. Therefore, I support this amendment for a single ombudsman.

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