Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join Senator Cummins in asking for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend the House. It is extraordinary that 40% of gardaí have less than five years of experience and that more than 200 senior management positions remain unfilled. This is a sad indictment of Government policy not just towards the Garda, but towards tackling crime. As Senator Cummins stated correctly, gangland crime is rampant. The threat of dissident republicans attacking and killing people is extending from Dublin to the regions. When will the Government get serious and give the Garda resources? When will we see proactive policing? The Garda's hands are tied by the lack of Government commitment.

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the North? I join Senator O'Toole in wishing that the North's political parties would put aside partisan politics and place the collective interests of the people first. The peace process has a dividend for everyone on the island, not just people in the North. It behoves all of us as politicians to espouse peace and collective government in the North. The DUP, Sinn Féin and other political parties will not gain anything by the short-sighted politicking in which they are engaging. If they are serious about their constituents and communities, we will never go back to the bad old days when murder was rife.

I second the amendment which has been proposed.