Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that.

On the operational issues, those are matters for the Garda Commissioner. I am not in a position to intervene in the operational organisation of An Garda Síochána. The issues have been there for some time. The Minister is in a very difficult position if the Garda Commissioner has not been invited to the conference as well. His predecessor took the same position and I accept that position, by the way. I think the Garda Commissioner should be invited to the conference - that is my view. I think boycotting the Commissioner and not inviting him was a mistake. There should always be engagement. In that sort of circumstance, the Minister would have no difficulty, or that is my understanding, although I have not spoken to the Minister in relation to this. There is an issue and let us not pretend there is not. There is no one boycotting this, although Opposition Deputies have asserted it is a boycott. It is not that. I think people know what is happening here. There is a better way of doing things, I would respectfully suggest.

In respect of the commentary from Deputy Brabazon, I agree 100% that we need to reduce paperwork and create greater flexibility. We are endeavouring to do that with the rollout of technology and facial recognition, which is very important, and also in terms of greater facilities and resources.

Deputy Ó Murchú referenced the divisional structure. It is an operational decision by the Commissioner. I hear the Deputy’s views in that regard and in terms of the need for the community safety partnerships to be rolled out.

Deputies Coppinger and Murphy again used the phrase “liars”. The Minister never used that phrase about anybody and it is wrong to suggest that the Minister called people “a liar”. He did not.

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