Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I accept the Minister of State's bona fides that the matter will be discussed with the Garda Representative Association and believe it would be a good way of addressing the issue. The amendment does not seek to dictate where gardaí should live. There should be no compulsion in that regard. However, we believe there is merit in the proposal and also believe the representative associations will see merit in it. A number of young gardaí deployed throughout the country who are encountering difficulty in getting accommodation which is quite expensive would be willing to take up such houses.

As was stated yesterday, the Garda Síochána previously provided accommodation for gardaí in barracks and so on. We have moved a long way since then. I accept the Minister of State's suggestion that the matter be first discussed with the representative associations and will withdraw the amendment for Report Stage at which time he may, having met with the representative associations, come back to us on the matter.