Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

This part of the Bill is effectively a repeal and re-enactment of the Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Act 2003. That Act has a part in the Patten report and the outworking of the Good Friday Agreement. Until now, there has been a delay in the practical implementation of the Act, based on the question of the remuneration of members going North or South. With regard to members going North, I will issue new guidelines as to entitlements. I hope in the near future to be in a position to meet the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable in Northern Ireland to announce the first secondments on a South-North basis.

The Senator's question on whether there has been an interest in North-South secondments is interesting. I am not in a position to answer that today. However, I will communicate with him on that issue. I imagine that until the initiative gets going on a South-North basis, the implementation North-South will be held up.