Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I do not want to labour the point; the arguments have been made on both sides and the Minister has responded. The Bill mentions a garda of any rank and does not exclude a superintendent or a chief superintendent. I am not disputing what my colleague, Senator Donohoe, stated, particularly given the area in which he lives. However, one must also consider the area in which I live. Senator Regan mentioned the substantial quantities of drugs - some of the largest consignments in the history of the State - coming into areas such as Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Castletownbere or parts of Sheep's Head. Primarily, these drugs were not for the Irish market. No superintendent lives in most of the area I represent and one usually comes from Cork city. The sergeant or detective sergeant on the ground - and they include some excellent people - know who is involved in the gangs. They mingle with the people, they know who drinks in what pub and how they mix. To exclude that evidence in this situation would be ludicrous.

If one takes any situation in Dublin, by and large the boys who are out day and night covertly tracking these criminals are not chief superintendents. They are of lesser rank but probably have more expertise in what is happening and with whom they are dealing.