Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State will have an opportunity to respond in due course. The Minister attacked the two individuals whose taking up of the issues of these allegations resulted in very important improvements in the Garda Síochána in terms of oversight, disciplinary proceedings, procedures, organisation of the command structure and reporting procedures within the Garda Síochána, the Garda inspectorate and Garda Ombudsman. Not alone would we not have had a tribunal but we would not have known what was possible, in terms of abuse, within the Garda Síochána. Many of the measures referred to in the Minister of State's speech have been taken to improve the force and to restore public confidence in it.

The two individuals whom the Minister chooses to condemn are, in large part, responsible for the very improvements made.