Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I am not against the idea behind this provision in terms of relieving members of the Garda Síochána from this type of duty. My problem is the issue of accountability. This is totally different to the case of security firms looking after private areas such as shopping centres. The Government is giving significant State powers to those designated security officers under the Bill. These powers would affect members of the public, including citizens who vote and visitors to the country.

There is no point stating the security officers will be vetted — perhaps they will and I am sure most officers would act in a reputable way. However, there is no statutory underpinning of that vetting. Neither I nor any other Member commented in a negative way on the security industry, private security firms or anyone involved in the industry. The Minister is wrong to put that kind of spin on this. Like any profession, the majority of those who work in it are good and act in good faith.

The same is definitely true of the Garda Síochána. I trust the Garda Síochána but I still think — as does the Minister, in putting forward this legislation — that the force should be accountable and that there should be a legal basis for that accountability. That is the problem with this provision about which questions remain. Senator Walsh referred to litigation but listening to him one would think that anyone who takes a legal case is just out to get money. People have rights and that is why we have laws. People use the law and the courts to enforce their rights.