Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I am glad the Minister is the same gender as Senator Norris or he might have a reason to lash back following the Senator's reference to him as a wise old bird. I welcome the Minister to the House. The time he spends here is a positive indicator not only of how he views this Chamber but of how committed and hard-working he is.

My nomination to contest a Seanad seat came from the Irish Conference of Professional and Service Associations, the umbrella group for such groups as the Garda Representative Association, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Association of Garda Superintendents, together with the Defence Forces representative organisations and some other bodies. Therefore, the Bill is of particular interest to me. In preparing for this debate, I conversed widely with different groups belonging to that umbrella group. I am delighted that all were singing from the same hymn sheet and were very positive in regard to the Bill. There is a broad welcome for it, not alone from the Garda representative bodies but also from the Human Rights Commission, as reported in today's edition of The Irish Times.

The Minister will be glad that, having spoken with them this morning, I can tell him the Garda representative bodies and the Human Rights Commission were very satisfied with the amount of time and consultation accorded to them by the Minister. The groups acknowledged that although the Bill was in draft form when they made recommendations, the Minister took such recommendations on board and adhered to them as far as possible. The Minister did not run off on his own but ensured that all relevant groups were brought in as part of the process. That is a wonderful endorsement of the Bill.

I welcome the Bill. Through the years, we have heard lip service paid in regard to this area but nobody has tackled it as the Minister has. I commend him for bringing such comprehensive and wide ranging legislation to the House. The new format will allow for the establishment of the ombudsman commission which will comprise a chairperson — possibly a judge from a superior court — and two other experienced personnel. I am glad one of the two will be female. Females are now certainly around the House, and it might be said they are taking over.

I echo the remarks of other Members when I say we have been blessed with a magnificent police force since the foundation of the State. Nonetheless, while the Garda Complaints Board was adequate for its time, society and culture are very different in today's changing times. The Minister acknowledged that the board does not command the full confidence of the public. Confidence has broken down and a new dynamic is needed to give us something to work with in current circumstances.

We are lucky to have such a Garda force. It integrates well with all communities, rural or urban. I have no doubt from speaking to members of the force that good, solid members, who comprise 99% of the force, have no fear of the Bill and look forward to working under its provisions. The changes laid before us in this legislation put the Garda in the focus of openness, transparency and independent scrutiny, which can only enhance its reputation and esteem, not only as a force but as individuals. The Minister has given the force an opportunity to excel and take its place with police forces of other States which are held up as adhering to best practice. He has put the force on a modern footing, crucial in the modern world where security must be very high-tech.

Although I had some concerns with the Bill, the Minister addressed most of them in his opening remarks, such as the code of ethics. Perhaps we could also revisit the issue of the right of appeal and costs on Committee Stage. With regard to the setting up of the ombudsman commission, I had concerns regarding the transparency of the system of appointments. Although the Minister addressed this issue, will appointments be publicly advertised? When the Human Rights Commission was set up, an independent advisory group reported to Government. Will there be a similarly transparent mechanism in this instance?

With regard to Garda volunteer members provided for in section 14, will such members be vetted? There is great need for vetting of people involved in many aspects of life, sporting and otherwise, and that is for the right reasons. Volunteer members will have the same powers as gardaí although gardaí come through rigorous training over two years which we all stand over and of which we are very proud. If I were a volunteer member from Sligo, would I be asked to serve my community of Sligo or would be I be sent to another county or town? There will be circumstances where a person has a set on someone else, as they say down the country, and a person may find himself being punished unnecessarily.

I welcome this progressive Bill and thank the Minister for being both provocative and progressive by bringing it to us. Since I became a Senator 18 months ago, no other Bill has been embraced as warmly as this one today. Well done to the Minister's officials on this wonderful legislation and I look forward to the Committee Stage debate.