Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

On Deputy Kenny's meeting with the anti-corruption unit of An Garda Síochána later, I hope that internal promotions of those who are the subject of the ongoing investigation will not occur until that investigation is concluded. I am sure the Minister will agree. It is not just that, however. There is a culture. There was a contract worth €500,000 for holsters but these were defective and ended up being destroyed. There were other holsters that only had an issue with a strap but these were also destroyed at a cost to the taxpayer. Defective ammunition was also destroyed, at a cost of €160,000. A Walther LP500 air pistol for which An Garda Síochána had no use was bought at a cost of €2,000. Why does An Garda Síochána even have that pistol? It has nothing to do with policing. The Minister might investigate that. There is also a large-scale scanner that cost €44,250. With licence renewals, that cost comes to more than €93,000. It has never been used. There is obviously an issue in An Garda Síochána that needs to be taken up with the Commissioner. Changes need to happen with regard to financial management.

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