David Norris (Independent)

Like other speakers, I am against crime in most of its manifestations. I accept international boundaries are used by organised crime and that with the globalisation of crime, it is inevitable there will be globalisation to match it on the part of police authorities. I understand this and the difficulties imposed by international criminal organisations confronting isolated national jurisdictions. In principle, I completely accept a degree of internationalisation. I do, however, have some hesitations about aspects of the Bill which I will share with Senator Maurice Hayes, who rightly said there should be an independent person involved.

The Minister of State referred to the establishment of a police school, which I welcome, although I do so with certain qualifications or additions. A number of years ago I accepted an invitation to be a gadfly at an international police gathering in Dublin Castle. I did not concentrate on all the wonderful things the police did, rather I concentrated on areas of concern in terms of the way in which policing impacted on the local population and its behaviour. I was able to cite instances of sexual harassment, not only of women but also of men, and the brutalisation of suspects on a racial basis in France and other jurisdictions. Not alone did the police organisations not co-operate, they also actively supported members known to be engaged in criminal acts against innocent members of the public.

I would like the Minister of State to make representations to the appropriate quarters that such a police school, if established, should deal not only with the mechanics of policing and the transmission of information but also with the interface with the public, recognition of human rights and an indication that a severe view will be taken of the violation of citizen's rights while in police custody.