Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 58:

In page 28, subsection (3), line 13, to delete "As soon as practicable after" and substitute "Within 30 days of".

The amendment refers to the annual Garda report. The report for 2002 was published at the end of 2003, meaning it took the Garda a year to complete. The report for 2003 was published in November of this year. Given the technology available in this age of accountability, it is unacceptable for this scenario to obtain. I am glad to see that section 38(1) requires the annual report to be completed within four months and acknowledge that matters in this context have improved significantly.

As drafted, however, section 38 allows the Minister to publish the report at his discretion. I am not happy with the use of the words "As soon as practicable". It is not unreasonable to request the Minister to publish the report within 30 days of receiving it. If the Minister has it, there is no reason not to publish it within a month. While I acknowledge that there have been improvements, amendment No. 38 would further enhance the Bill.