Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Senator Jim Walsh has the happy idea that gardaí would come to swell the ranks at cumann meetings, listen to the minutes, the secretary's report and the correspondence, but I think they have more sense. I would be much more worried about the list of activities I have outlined.

Members of the Garda have many responsible privileges over the rest of us, including the power of arrest. While Garda functions are not judicial, they have far-reaching implications for the community. To take an example which does not involve my party, it would not be fair for a Fine Gael Senator to be breathalysed while driving home by a man he knew was out canvassing against him the previous night. It would be problematic even if all parties were acting above board and the Senator in question had not a drop taken.