Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The Garda Síochána is one of the finest police forces in the world, as I have said here on many occasions when we have had tragedies in which members of the force lost their lives. The Garda stood by the State from the day of its inception. Its members have put their lives on the line and their families have been threatened on many occasions. In the new order and with the excesses of more affluent times the Garda is at the forefront in the fight against crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour. Any Member who knows members of the force knows what they have to put up with. The State owes them a huge debt of gratitude. It would be a pity, therefore, if anything distracted from that proud record of the Garda Síochána. I hope gardaí will reflect on this, no matter what problems they have or frustration they feel in the current economic climate. Any distraction from or undermining of the record of a police force that cannot be compared with that of any other police force in the world because it is so good would be unfortunate. As I have so many friends in the force, I ask them to rethink about what is happening and avoid taking a collision course with the State.