Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I compliment Senator Regan for coming up with this amendment. While I appreciate the reasons behind this amendment, the Department would need some time to discuss its implications with the Garda Commissioner.

The Garda has already moved towards this idea in operational terms. Recommendation 31 of the advisory group on alcohol suggests that there should be a garda assigned to licensing matters in each Garda area. This is being discussed with the Garda Commissioner. I suggest that we return to this issue in the context of the sale of alcohol Bill later in the year.

I reassure Senator Norris on the issue of gardaí being properly briefed. The purpose of the recommendation of the advisory board is to ensure a knowledgeable officer of the Garda deals with licensing matters as routine. It also ensures there is no duplication or officers — as Senator Regan stated — marching in and out of the courts sometimes not fully briefed on the case or not fully on top of matters. This is why we must move to a position where someone is assigned responsibility to collate the information and deal with these matters. I agree with Senator Norris that it is important that whoever is in court knows the background, history, feelings of people in the area, troubles and the difficulties generated when it comes to licensing issues. I do not know if this will allow Senator Regan to withdraw his amendment, but the matter is being dealt with in the context of the sale of alcohol Bill. Our preference is that it be dealt with as an operational matter for the Garda, rather than through legislation although both could be recommended.