Brendan Ryan (Labour)

In the report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate most of the focus has been on procedures for dealing with sieges, which is very welcome. However, most disturbing is the inspectorate's conclusion about how badly equipped the Garda is. We have been hearing this from Garda representative organisations and other organisations. However, there seems to be casualness about equipping the Garda with modern equipment. If a Member of the Opposition used the language the inspectorate used he or she would be accused of politicising the issue of sending people into dangerous situations untrained, unequipped and unprotected. However, that is what the inspectorate's report stated. That the Garda has only 1,200 bulletproof vests for a force of 14,000 is not because of some process that is needed. It is because of indifference on the part of senior Garda management or more likely the Tánaiste and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That should be rectified now. The response that it will happen soon is not acceptable and should not be acceptable in a civilised society.

I agree with Senator Brian Hayes on the issue of competitiveness. I have regularly asked for a debate on the issue. A debate on competitiveness can too easily become a debate about wage rates. However, the National Competitiveness Council has demonstrated a succession of issues. From the time the Government and its predecessor came into office we have lived through a boom. It will have taken the Government 13 years to build a decent road from Cork to Dublin and it will probably have the airport closed down by the time it is built. There is a range of issues on competitiveness and I would like the Acting Leader to consider the possibility of us meeting tomorrow to discuss competitiveness. I had a delightful debate with the Minister on Monday night in UCC, which I won judging by the student vote.