Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Garda Síochána Bill is currently before the Dáil. I ask the Leader to ascertain whether the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform intends to bring that Bill back to the Seanad before the summer recess. It is on Report Stage in the Dáil and it would be useful to know the Minister's intentions.

In view of the recommendations of the Morris tribunal report and the significant public concern surrounding many issues raised therein, I suggest that the Bill be parked for a period of six months. This would allow us to determine how to improve the legislation to ensure the new ombudsman, as proposed in the Bill, is the best way forward in terms of dealing with complaints against members of the force. A six-month period of reflection would be useful for dealing with a number of issues.

There is a significant level of public outrage and concern at the decision by the Garda Commissioner to transfer five gardaí cited in the Morris report from Donegal to Dublin. This is an outrageous decision whereby men cited in the report are simply shunted from one part of the country to another. Given the fact that the report is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the appropriate course of action would have been to suspend the officers concerned pending a decision of the director to take action, if any is preferred. The widespread public concern about this decision should be reflected in the Houses and I compliment the Labour Party on giving us an early opportunity to debate the Morris report during Private Members' business tomorrow. However, the time allowed for that debate is only two hours and perhaps additional time might be provided to ensure that all Senators who wish to speak on this serious matter can do so.