Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 8, line 2, to delete "inspector" and substitute "superintendent".

This is a fairly straightforward amendment which attempts to delete the word "inspector" and substitute the word "superintendent" in section 8 where the High Court may, upon the sworn information of a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector, given with the consent of the Minister, issue a warrant for the arrest of any person.

I am moving this amendment because it is normal procedure that a member of the Garda Síochána of a rank not lower than superintendent would be entrusted with matters of an important nature, such as this. I do not know if there is any particular reason why we should depart from that normal practice. The rank of superintendent would seem to be the appropriate one and for that reason I suggest that we should substitute the word "superintendent" for the word "inspector".

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