Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking on behalf of the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children and grandchildren of the men and women who proudly wear the blue uniform of the Garda Síochána - one of whom is my son. His one thought when he dons his uniform every day is to uphold the law and protect people living in communities. It disturbs me to hear the comments being made about young men and women in the Garda Síochána not being able to do their duty. How would the Deputy like his son or daughter to be spat upon, kicked in the shins and verbally abused? I have never heard such abuse before and it is wrong.

The Deputy and the rest of the people in this Chamber should know that there is one law enforcement body in this country, which is the Garda Síochána. We should all remember that and respect them. These are the men and woman who patrol our streets every day of the week. When communities are in trouble they turn to the local Garda station to assist them.

The Deputy should have some respect for the people we are talking about and remember women like me who have sons in the Garda Síochána. I am very proud of the job he does on a daily basis. The Deputy should think of the people out there whose sons and daughters are in the Garda Síochána. Shame on him for saying that they cannot do their duty. If it was his son or daughter, he would not like them to be spat upon.

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