Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I join with colleagues who have called for a debate on the report of the Garda Síochána inspectorate. Many colleagues have touched on the role of technology in the force, but another point in the report that would merit debate is the role of rostering in the Garda Síochána. Much evidence in the report showed that despite the fact the number of gardaí has risen, in some cases when they are needed most, they are not rostered and available for duty. This is a very important point that should be debated. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will come in here and proudly trumpet the fact that the number of gardaí available for community policing and other tasks has increased. However, we can see from an independent report that the increased resources are not being used in the most effective way.

I want to lead any potential outcry that might be prompted by Senator Quinn's call this morning for the need for a tax amnesty to be revisited. By chance, I happened to be reading an account of the circumstances in which the last amnesty was created and that alone is reason not to do it again. If we look at what is happening in Italy at the moment, I would be pretty confident in predicting that the tax yield after the tax amnesty will go down, as people would be confident that another amnesty will happen in the near future. We really have to avoid that happening.

On a lighter note, I want to extend a welcome to Senator Paschal Mooney. I was not here last week when he arrived. I am sad to be losing my status as the unique Paschal of this Seanad, but from one Paschal to another, I welcome Senator Mooney.