Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"—notes the Government decision to accept in full the findings in both reports;

—commends the Government for the action it is taking to respond to the findings and recommendations in the reports;

—supports the Minister's proposals to reform the organisation and management of the Garda Síochána as set out in the Garda Síochána Bill;

—declares that in a modern, republican democracy, the Garda as a national police force must be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas as an important branch of the executive arm of Government and should not be placed outside the application of constitutional accountability and responsibility;

—in particular welcomes—

∙the proposals in the Bill to strengthen the democratic accountability of the force to the Minister and the Oireachtas,

∙the establishment of a fully independent ombudsman commission to investigate complaints against members of the Garda Síochána,

∙the establishment of a Garda Síochána inspectorate to provide objective assessment of the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the force, and

∙the establishment of joint policing committees and local policing fora to promote deeper engagement between the force and the local community it serves;

—notes the Minister's intention to bring forward further proposals for inclusion in the Garda Síochána Bill in response to the findings of the Morris tribunal;

—supports the Minister's call for the enactment of the Garda Síochána Bill as a matter of urgency; and

—welcomes the Minister's decision to establish a review group to oversee the urgent implementation of the provisions of the Bill on its enactment."

I reserve my right to speak later.