Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and admire him for staying to listen to the opinions of all Members. The most important part of the Minister's contribution was his concluding paragraph in which he acknowledged, in a positive way, the work of the gardaí, his support for their work and his hope that what he proposes will enhance their work in the future.

Over the past six months or so, the Garda Síochána has had to withstand severe criticism, some of which was most unjustified. If we, as politicians and legislators, contribute in any way to a suspicion of, or the lack of confidence in, our police force, it is a serious indictment of our behaviour. If we, in any way, query or undermine the work of the Garda Síochána, we seriously threaten its work. I hope the Minister, in everything he says and does in the future, is positive and shows his and the Government's support for the Garda Síochána. Such support has not always been forthcoming from the Minister. There are many people who believe, rightly or wrongly, that to get this Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas without any controversy and past the scrutiny of interested bodies, it was necessary to create a climate for its introduction. There was an element of spin prior to its introduction.

I have difficulties with aspects of the Minister's proposals. We are going to legislate for a voluntary police force parallel to the Garda Síochána. If it comes into force, we will create great difficulties. If we have a police force, let us have trust in it and support it by increasing its numbers, if necessary. If there is to be a parallel police force with powers equal to those of the Garda Síochána, why is it necessary to keep it outside the membership of the Garda Síochána? Why is it necessary to have this community force? We have a rural community policing policy at present which, as I have said in this House and when I was a Member of the other House, has proved a failure. The reason given by the community is that the gardaí do not belong to it. It is a proven fact that when the local community identifies with the gardaí, there is far greater recognition of, and support for, them.

A recent opinion poll showed that 37% of the population do not have confidence in the Garda Síochána.