Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Members for a very interesting and, at times, passionate debate. I share Senator Mansergh's view, and I think Senator Cummins should take note, that it was disappointing that the AGSI made a recommendation to its members not to participate in the arrangements that have been put in place between the two Governments. The two grounds of safety and money were given in respect of this matter. There are many young people from Ireland joining the PSNI beyond these arrangements but safety is also an issue for gardaí here. It will continue to be so for all members of the Garda Síochána as long as there is active paramilitarism on this island.

One of the ingredients in healing the wounds will be the participation of members of the Garda Síochána along the lines envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten report. I ask individual gardaí to play their patriotic part by going to the North and taking this risk to their personal safety in bringing this process one step forward. The arrangement made by the two Governments in good fate must not be left moribund. I cannot do anything more than is possible to improve safety conditions for persons seconded to Northern Ireland.

I agree with Senator Mansergh on the topic of remuneration. I did my best when it was the subject of a long negotiation between my Department and the Department of Finance. I revisited the issue often to get the best package because I realised that moving to the North is a considerable sacrifice in terms of social and personal amenities for anyone, particularly a married person. I did the best I could and got a package that will not be improved upon. I had a positive engagement with the AGSI on Monday, 21 March and noticed this topic was on the agenda. I hoped it would not be passed and did not speak on it in advance, as I did not wish to influence the AGSI's arrangements. However, I regret any representative association of the Garda Síochána asking its members not to participate in the workings of the Good Friday Agreement.

I have done the best I can and more money will not solve the problem, as it is neither the issue nor is it available. Whatever can be done on the issue of safety will be done. There is no blanket policy justification for not participating and I would say to every member of the Garda Síochána of every rank that secondment and the interchange of personnel must proceed. It is an individual choice for each garda. Representative associations can give such advice as they wish but I, as a member of the democratically-elected Government that subscribed to the Good Friday Agreement, will ask the Garda to bear in mind that the people we all serve inserted into the Constitution a new regime that includes the implementation of the Patten report and the interchange of police personnel. It is a constitutional value. I ask gardaí day in and day out to make sacrifices in their personal lives, to be patriotic and to take risks with their safety. This is one more sacrifice I am asking them to make and I have done the best I can.