Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is not about an individual. It is about the structure, about all of the men and women who serve in An Garda Síochána and, more importantly, about those whom they serve, the people of our country. It does not take much to lose confidence in an institution. There are issues here that Deputies McDonald and Micheál Martin have rightly raised about fixed charge notices, breathalyser tests and the numbers actually carried out as against estimates and figures supplied. The Cabinet has made a decision that the analysis and the determination of the facts in regard to these two matters should and will be conducted by an external entity. It is much more important, in my view, that we collectively look at what it is that An Garda Síochána should become. We should examine that, through some sort of commission or entity, for the future because the restoration of confidence and trust is so important. Deputy McDonald knows that in so many areas around the country, outstanding work is being carried out by men and women who are so proud to serve in An Garda Síochána. We need to look beyond a personality, who happens to be the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and look at the force, its role, responsibilities, actions, culture and the trust that people now have in gardaí. That is why the Government made a decision today that the analysis of the figures in respect of breathalyser tests and fixed charge notices should and will be conducted externally. The Government will meet again next week to consider the broader implications for the future of An Garda Síochána.

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