Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I wish to refer to the comments of the Leader of the Opposition regarding the Garda inspectorate. In the past five years, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been responsible for introducing legislation that has transformed matters relating to the Garda, prisons and other matters that come under his remit. The inspectorate, which has a great deal of input into the operations of the Garda Síochána and much potential in the context of encouraging the introduction of the improvements in those operations to which Members referred during the relevant debates on this matter, the joint policing committees and the ombudsman are good innovations.

It is worth recalling that provision is made in the relevant legislation in respect of giving the Garda Commissioner total control over the budget for the force. The Garda Síochána, therefore, has scope to set its own targets and focus expenditure on the areas where it is most required. Across the force, particularly at middle management level, real challenges exist in the context of the introduction of improvements. Some of the spokespersons for the representative bodies, who hold senior or middle-ranking positions within the force, do little to improve either the morale or image of the Garda. A real challenge exists in this regard.

I wish to declare an interest in that I am involved in two commercial applications that are before An Bord Pleanála at present. Architects and various other people involved in the construction have informed me that action must be taken to encourage An Bord Pleanála to deal far more expeditiously with appeals than is currently the case. The appeals process lasts eight or nine months, which is completely unacceptable.