Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Let me just make the point. He has been closely associated with families who have been involved in this issue, especially the Dollard family. He made the point that some of the comments were out of context. It was not intended to be a denigration of the Garda or its activities. It is important to be careful that in reflecting the frustrations of families who find themselves in the terrible situation involving missing persons and not knowing where they are — I have one family in my own constituency in mind in that respect — that it is not suggested that the Garda is not making every effort to sort out the problem. I accept totally that it is doing so. Sometimes reflecting the frustrations of families can indicate something to the contrary, which was not the intention of the Minister of State. I would ask that this be accepted. I know that the Commissioner accepts there was no such intention on the Minister of State's part.

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