Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What Commissioner Harris has brought to An Garda Síochána is a different style of policing. He came from the PSNI which has a more robust form of policing: it is not policing by consent that we have had here for the past century. When the PSNI drives through a community, their vehicles are armoured and protected, which is not the case with An Garda Síochána, who tonight are out training local sports teams involved in the community. They rely on that community engagement to be able to solve crimes and gather evidence at times of need. I do not believe the model Commissioner Harris has tried to bring south of the Border has worked effectively. The situation I have outlined is a manifestation of this, where the heavy hammer has come down. Not only are we asking whether it is right or wrong, but we have suspended gardaí. We have 100 of them under investigation and it is not moving on. I plead with the Minister to do her best and to pick up the phone to the Commissioner tomorrow. Thank you for you forbearance, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

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