Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note the Ceann Comhairle's concerns but 99% of the Garda members do not have confidence in the Commissioner. Its members are contacting every Member, including, I am sure, those on the Government side. It is a crazy situation where the Government is going to give a blank cheque to this Commissioner.

As I said, intense efforts were made by the GRA and senior people in the Department of Justice and An Garda over the weekend and late last week but the Commissioner just rubbished it. The attitude he has to the situation is what is causing the problem. One must sit down and talk, as the Taoiseach said, whether at the WRC or elsewhere. The gardaí must be supported but they feel they are not being supported. That is an overwhelming vote by any standards, which everybody knows. I am surprised more people are not raising the issue in this House because they were being contacted last night and this morning because of this situation.

We need the gardaí, we always support them and we want to continue to do so, but we cannot support the Commissioner if he will not engage meaningfully with his members, will not show respect and will not give them the resources to protect themselves and the public. That is not happening.

Members of the Government are comfortable and minded by gardaí but they do not seem to understand what is happening around the country and in the cities with violence, crime and attacks on people. Gardaí are always on the front line. We must sort this situation out and the Minister or the Taoiseach must intervene here.

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