Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I often say I come from a bygone era when we had a different view of the gardaí. Thank God I was never in trouble with the gardaí, although I can never understand why. I used to see the local garda on the street on his bicycle threatening to stop us playing football or whatever. I fully agree with what was said about the need for the public to trust and have confidence in gardaí and to see them as often as possible. I often say young people should not just see a garda when they are in trouble because then it is too late. It is important we understand the Garda Síochána upholds the law and, generally speaking, does much great work which we should applaud. However, we should also understand there are problems.

Last night when going home to Tallaght, funnily enough, I was stopped by a road block at which gardaí from the traffic corps were carrying out mandatory breath-testing. I mention it because I was never breathalysed before. The garda told me there was not even a hint of alcohol in my system which sort of sums up my sad life. It was a cold winter's night and those gardaí were doing their job in a very effective and friendly way. That is what the public needs to see. However, when there is trouble, we expect the gardaí to respond. Members of the public, particularly those who will not be in trouble with the Garda or break the law, want gardaí to carry out that type of service. The perception must be of an honest, hardworking and effective Garda force which does its job. We should applaud that work where we can.

I refer to one aspect of the Tánaiste's speech and I will be parochial. The Tánaiste spoke about the commission of investigation into the Dean Lyons case. The late Dean Lyons was a constituent of mine and I met him on a number of occasions. I know his family very well and I spoke to his mother recently. The case caused much upset not only in my constituency and in Tallaght where he lived but in many communities throughout the country. We should remind ourselves that a horrendous crime remains unsolved. There are many rumours as to who carried it out and there is much talk and speculation about charges being brought and so on. However, it remains on the record as an unsolved case.

Like many colleagues, when I get involved in cases such as that of the late Dean Lyons, one is affected by them. We do our job without fear or favour but when events such as the Dean Lyons case occur, one is affected by them. I think about the late Dean Lyons and I believe all of us who came in contact with him ask whether we could have done anything else, spoken to him more or met him more often. There are still many unanswered questions in regard to his case and the investigation.

The Tánaiste was very honest in his approach today. It is an unsolved case and there are many questions. I do not know how the Tánaiste can create a situation where closure will be achieved. I speak for many in my community when I say this case still upsets and affects people. I have no doubt the families of those two ladies in Grangegorman are also deeply affected by it. Each time we discuss the case and raise it in the public domain, I am sure it causes even more hurt and upset. The Tánaiste would have much support if he could find a mechanism to resolve some of these issues.

This is an important debate and many of us will have different views. As I said, we will all have political points to make to which I will contribute. I look forward to the debate tomorrow.

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