Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

More than 90 years ago a young man named James Feely was one of the first recruits to the Garda Síochána, which defended the institutions of this State. This young man was a Sinn Féin councillor and commander of the IRA in Roscommon who went on hunger strike. He was also my mother's father. I come from a family that have had huge confidence in the Garda Síochána. I come from a community that always looked to the Garda Síochána with respect. The Garda Síochána secured the safety of this State and ensured that communities and the country were safe.

I have always had and continue to have huge confidence in the brave men and women of the Garda Síochána. They have a difficult job to do. This Bill is to be welcomed. I thank the Minister for supporting it. It is important to acknowledge the job being done by An Garda Síochána. My grandfather was from Ballina, where my mother was born. They later moved to Cahir, County Tipperary and then to Rush, County Dublin. As a garda, my grandfather's responsibilities included checking that people had lights on their bicycles. The men and women of the Garda Síochána now have a much more complicated job to do.

I agree on the need for reform of the Garda Síochána. There have been many system failings. I thank the whistleblowers for bringing these failings to the attention of the authorities. I believe there is a role for whistleblowers but that their concerns should be brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. I do not believe that these important matters should be the focus of television or radio programmes.

There should now be an independent review of how best to manage these concerns.

I agree with the strengthening of the functions of the Garda ombudsman and the establishment of a body to be known as the Garda Síochána independent board which is to have monitoring, oversight and supervisory functions. I thank the Minister for not opposing this Bill on Second Stage. The Government, politicians and rest of the country have a lot of work to do to regain the full support of the men and women of the Garda Síochána. The public certainly has to have full confidence in how the Garda carries out its functions.

Deputy McHugh mentioned the Good Friday Agreement. We can work at a cross-Border level in this regard to ensure the Garda works in co-operation with its counterpart in North.

The men and women in the Garda Síochána have been kicked about. Sometimes the fight is not what it should be about. There are issues that have arisen that have been out of the control of the Garda. As a politician, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the members of the Garda Síochána. Whether circumstances are good or bad, one will not hear me criticising them. I value their job. They defended our country when there were people trying to undermine the stability and democracy of the State. I, for one, will stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and I will not undermine the Garda Síochána. I thank the force for the work it has done since the foundation of the State. It has one supporter here in Frank Feighan, TD for Roscommon-South Leitrim.

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