Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Despite what the Minister of State said, there is a gap in the legislation. He pointed out the differences between this legislation and the Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill. In respect of criminal liability, however, section 12 of the Bill before us states that "seconded members of the team shall . in the case of such seconded members who are members of a police force of another Member State, be regarded as members of the Garda Síochána." That would conflict with what the Minister of State said.

The important point is that no grievance procedure is in place for a person who is affected by or has a complaint in respect of a foreign police force member seconded to this State. That person cannot have his or her complaint investigated. That is a gap in the legislation.