Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I welcome this Bill. Part of me would say it does not go far enough. The legislation is progressive. A person's home is effectively his palace, as Senator Norris indicated. One's home is one's sanctuary and where one ought to feel safe. It is where the State should ensure one feels safe.

Senator Brennan stated his wife stays with his daughter when he is in Dublin to be in the Seanad. I have a similar experience. My family owns a cash business and my wife does not stay at home when I am in the Seanad for fear of burglary. Although we have a very elaborate security system, probably as elaborate as they come, there is still fear because of what has happened in this country. In the past, if one protected one's home, one was not safe from prosecution.

As a new, competent and capable Minister - probably one of the best we will have - Deputy Shatter needs to re-examine the concept of community policing. He needs to incentivise members of An Garda to live within the areas in which they work. If this means a financial incentive, so be it. Some 20, 30 or 40 years ago, gardaí who lived within the community were able to gather intelligence much more easily than they could have done had they been working away from where they lived. The Cathaoirleach, as a rural Senator like myself, will be well aware of this. Gardaí were involved in the community and built up the trust and respect thereof. They established a rapport with the community, public representatives and businessmen. They knew the good and the bad.

Over the past ten years, 15 superintendents have been stationed where I come from in County Clare. One lasted three weeks and was then moved on. Another lasted approximately eight weeks and was then transferred. Another was promoted to a job in Dublin after approximately four months. There was absolutely no continuity. Over the course of approximately two years, there were six superintendents in the district of Ennistymon. As far as I am concerned, this does not represent good policing, be it community policing or otherwise. It demonstrates a lack of leadership and it is demoralising for the gardaí based in the district. It is totally inappropriate if there is to be adequate leadership.

The Minister needs to re-examine the concepts of community policing and policing within communities. Of the approximately 30 gardaí in my local station, only two are living in the community. The rest are living outside it, and that is simply not good enough. The best way to deal with crime is to have gardaí working in the area in which they live.

I am glad the Bill is receiving unanimous support. While there are always provisions that we would like to see improved, the Bill is certainly a positive step. People should feel safe in their homes. If there is an intrusion into one's personal space, one needs to be able to defend it with reasonable force. This is not too much to ask in a civilised democratic society.

The Minister has introduced this Bill within nine months of entering Government. It shows the type of Ministry he is leading. It ought to be welcomed. I look forward to what the Minister has to say about community policing.