Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I would also like to refer to the comments by Senators Norris and O'Toole about the death in custody and the subsequent investigation. This makes an unanswerable case for a Garda Ombudsman Commission in a way no other could in the interest of the Garda. I am fully satisfied, on the basis of what I have seen and read, that the Garda acted properly and according to the book in this case.

One of the problems is that I heard a Garda spokesman last night whose first sentence was, "We will investigate this", and whose second was, "We know everything is okay". As Senator O'Toole said, it would be in the interest of the Garda if the investigation — I do not refer to a public inquiry — was overseen by a senior lawyer because, as well as the Garda element in the case, there is the question of the suspect's treatment in hospital. That also needs to be examined.

Senator Ryan raised the question of social housing, which I supported in the past. However, I noticed recently that builders have been able to buy themselves out of their obligations. This vitiates the purpose of the initiative, which was to prevent social segregation by shoving people who need social housing into ghettos.