Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The public service, excellent though it may be, is not the sole repository of wisdom, experience and expertise. In complex fraud investigations, we may need to bring in representatives of some of the top accountancy firms. In cases of trafficking of children for sexual or other reasons, we may have to bring in representatives of the authorities in other countries, such as Albania, where such an offence is a phenomenon.

In signing up to the framework decision, member states undertook to put into law not only the letter but the spirit of the agreement. A cursory glance at it would quickly demonstrate that we should not limit ourselves. It is envisaged that members of the Garda Síochána and the customs authorities – persons who are State officials – and officers of various Government Departments will be sufficient in the vast majority of cases. Occasionally, however, in order to make the difference between success and failure, we may need to appoint a person who is not in the public sector. It will not be a question of appointing party political supporters.

Under new legislation, the Garda Commissioner will be the accounting officer for the gardaí and he will have to account for expenditure under the Garda budget. I am sure that if the Commissioner appointed a person who was not useful to such an investigation or a person who was a friend or whatever, he would have serious questions to answer before the Committee of Public Accounts. While I understand the Senator's concern, I consider the section is safe in this regard.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Section 6 agreed to.

Sections 7 to 9, inclusive, agreed to.

SECTION 10.