Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We are committed to the Irish language on both sides of the House and want to use it as much as possible. However, in these circumstances the English version, involving the use of the word "the", is used, as is the normal practice. "The Garda Síochána" is used in all Bills passed in both Houses. This has been the standard practice since 1961 and was not introduced by me. The Bill will be available in Irish as soon as it is enacted. The Irish version will, of course, use "An Garda Síochána" rather than "the Garda Síochána".