Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome that.

It is good to see the local policing committees will act as fora for discussion of policing matters. I was disturbed by a recent poll which revealed that only 58% of the population had confidence in the Garda. This is unfair to the force. How were those questions asked? Sometimes questions can be put to people in order to get different results. I find it hard to believe that figure fell to 40% among young people and to 46% of all ages in the Dublin area. That is a cause for concern but I would also like to ask the pollsters how they put questions to people.

The Bill lays down in legislation for the first time what the force is meant to do, as sometimes it is caught in the middle of various groups. The Reclaim the Streets demonstration in 2001 was bad for Garda public relations. Some gardaí were pressurised into making incorrect decisions that day. However, we must all exercise restraint. For example, there were sizeable marches outside this House protesting about the use of Shannon as a stopover for US military aircraft, during which one gentleman did his best to incite gardaí to react. I pay tribute to the gardaí for the restraint they observed and the person in question should have been arrested, although that is an issue for another day. I welcome the Bill. We are proud of the Garda, which is the best police force internationally. It has my support and should have the support of all Members of the House. Long may it reign.