Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It was the Commissioner's view that if one water cannon was bought, another would have to be purchased as they are complex instruments and if one breaks down there would have to be a back-up. In his view, he would get much better value for €2 million relying on the mutual assistance arrangements between the PSNI and the Garda, rather than having water cannons lying in a depot. I can imagine if we had two extra water cannons, with one of them malfunctioning, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe would get his usual letter with a dog-eared corner detailing the secret information that one of the water cannons was not working. He would ask what the Minister proposed to do about it.

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