Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Section 24 as drafted allows the Garda Commissioner to enter into oral and written agreements with other police forces. The effect of this amendment would be to preclude oral agreements, as it would require all agreements to be in writing. As was said on Committee Stage, the subject matter of these agreements between the Garda Síochána and police forces will concern policing and operational issues. The nature and content of these co-operative arrangements may be related to a variety of issues, some of which could be quite minor and temporary. It is unnecessary for such arrangements to be the subject of a written agreement except where their seriousness would justify this. It would not assist to have all such matters laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister of the day can always be asked a parliamentary question if a Deputy wants to establish whether an agreement has been entered into. Members of the Houses can keep themselves informed in that way.