Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

They began the exposé of Garda activities. They may have courted a certain amount of unpopularity as a result of their decision but they have been vindicated. The rooting out of Garda misconduct in Donegal will be healthier for the Garda in the long term.

The vast majority of gardaí one meets are embarrassed by and ashamed of what happened in Donegal. Surely the McBrearty family have been vindicated. They had been framed and the matter of their legal costs should be analysed and rectified. An injustice would be done to them if this did not happen.

I wish the Minister well in proceeding with the Garda inspectorate, which will have three members. Never was such a body more badly wanted. The idea of a Garda complaints board investigating complaints made by the public about gardaí always seemed defective to me. I look forward to the implementation of the legislation in this area because it will certainly help the Garda.