Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I support the call of Senator Cummins for a debate on crime, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is getting away with murder on the issue. If politics is to be results-based, the Minister has failed. Senator Quinn referred to a very important report from the Garda inspectorate on resource allocation within the Garda Síochána. It outlines various recommendations on how we can better allocate resources and have more effective policing. The response of the Minister is that the report is about the core service provided by the Garda Síochána, in particular, uniformed gardaí patrolling the streets and our communities. It is not just about that, however; that simplistic view shows that the Minister does not understand his brief and has not read the report. The reality is that in all other jurisdictions proactive policing involves the gathering of intelligence and targeting crime wherever it takes place and allocating resources accordingly. That is what the report is about and what the Minister must look into. I suggest he come into the Seanad to account for his stewardship of this brief. He is very good at coming here to rush legislation through but on which he then fails to act. The issue has been alluded to of hundreds of senior gardaí retiring. How will we use the intelligence gathered in tackling gangland crime? The Minister has set down a mandatory retirement age of 60 years for chief superintendents and in the High Court resisted changes to this. It is a ridiculous policy which should be reversed. The Minister should come into the House to account for his stewardship.

I asked a question of the Leader two days ago and expect a reply. Perhaps he has not had time to receive advice on the matter. What is the NAMA scheme being notified to the European Commission? Is it a secret at this stage? We have the framework legislation but need to know what the scheme includes. What are the valuations and the haircuts etc? This House and the Lower House has received no information on the NAMA scheme now being notified to the European Union for scrutiny and approval. We deserve to have this information. The NAMA scheme should not be dealt with in secret.