Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Minister when discussing this amendment yesterday afternoon expressed misgivings about a possible scheme of rent subsidies or allowances drawn up by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There is, of course, a fundamental difficulty with this amendment in that full account has to be taken of the fact that members of the Garda Síochána are free to reside in an area of choice. There is no regulation or legal requirement in that regard.

While we all share the worthy sentiments expressed in the amendment we are dealing with legislation. Before proceeding to discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the matter should first be raised by the Department with the relevant representative bodies through the normal consultative channels. A prudent and logical first step would be to examine their views on the proposal. I am willing to do that.