Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I thank the Opposition for bringing forward the Bill, which gives us a chance to reflect on the contribution of An Garda Síochána and all that is good about it even though there may be some elements in it that are not so good. It is right and proper that we reflect on this in the national Parliament, and on the legacy of An Garda Síochána since its establishment in the State and how it has served our citizens.

On the first day they are commissioned gardaí take an oath to lay down their lives in the protection of the State and its citizens. This does not come lightly and it should be publicly acknowledged by all public representatives that young gardaí train with good intentions to take up a career which, in my opinion, goes beyond a normal vocation to serve the people of the country. Since its establishment in the State, the Garda Síochána has gone through some very difficult times. During the Troubles the Garda Síochána, which is one of the only unarmed police forces in the world, stood foursquare in protection of our citizens against terrorism and subversion-----

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