John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I am advised that, from an operational and practical point of view, the rank of Garda superintendent is appropriate and would have sufficient authority. We should not consider the matter in isolation. Apart from the person making the application, a number of other checks and balances exist throughout. The superior officer making the application must have reasonable grounds and so forth in the reporting and all that goes with it. My advice is that the rank of Garda superintendent is appropriate and practical from an operational point of view. Considering the operation of the provision, decisions and access are sometimes important, as decisions may need to be made in relatively short periods.