Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I am sure Senators will agree that very few of the Bills which are considered by the House receive the volume of debate given to the Garda Síochána Bill 2004. That the Bill has received such detailed analysis is an indication of the House's interest in it and its importance. Most of the time, there seemed to be at least six Senators contributing to the Committee Stage debate.

The Minister should be commended for introducing far-reaching changes and improvements in the operation of the Garda's policing of this country. He is undertaking major initiatives like the joint policing initiatives, the Garda ombudsman commission and the Garda inspectorate. He has outlined his proposals comprehensively in the House. I thank the Minister for spending so much time here, particularly during the exhaustive Committee Stage debate, when many matters were amplified. He showed a great disposition to adopt many of the sensible amendments which were proposed. The House has made a significant contribution to the evolution of the Bill. I thank the Minister.

I am sure many people involved in local government will welcome the Minister's initiatives and embrace constructively the opportunity to make policing transparent. Such developments will engender greater support for the Garda Síochána and introduce an element of accountability to the operation of the system. I thank the Minister's officials for the substantial amount of work they did. I wish the Minister, his family and his officials the compliments of the season.