Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 20, subsection (5), between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following paragraphs:

"(a) shall not be granted to a person who is a serving member of An Garda Síochána,

(b) shall not be granted to a person who is a serving member of the Permanent Defence Forces,".

I ask that members of the Garda Síochána and of the Defence Forces would not be allowed to take up employment as door supervisors. On Second Stage, the Minister agreed that it would not be appropriate that members of the gardaí be involved in such an occupation, yet there is anecdotal evidence to suggest they are. There is certainly a conflict of interest if an off-duty garda is working at a night-club and has to deal with someone he has already encountered when working with the Garda Síochána. There is also a conflict of interest when members of the Defence Forces, who are highly trained to use physical force, work as door supervisors. It is inappropriate that these people be considered for this type of employment.

I ask the Minister to accept this amendment to ensure there is no conflict of interest in situations like those I have just described.