Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Members should remember that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all matters relating to discipline within the Garda Síochána. The provisions of the Bill dealing with the Garda ombudsman commission have been drafted with this very much to the fore. The Commissioner is the chief executive of the force, to use Senator Quinn's analogy on Second Stage. As such, he or she should properly be responsible for actions taken by members of the organisation.

The Minister has given much consideration to the issues raised in these amendments but we must oppose them.