Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not have an opportunity yesterday to express my sympathy to Senator Imelda Henry on the death of her mother, also the wife of ex-councillor, Peter Henry, also to whom I did not have an opportunity yesterday to express my sympathy. I express those sympathies today. I also express my sympathy to Caroline, the wife of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who died and will be buried today, and to their extended family. It is important we do not forget about Detective Garda Joe Ryan, who is suffering great trauma at this time. We must ensure we do not forget the work our gardaí do. We have not forgotten and will not forget the late Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. Obviously, actions speaker louder than words.

As stated by Senator Barrett, legislation in haste is not a good idea. I highlight an issue raised approximately three or four years ago in the Dáil, namely, co-operation in the context of the Good Friday Agreement between the PSNI and Garda Síochána. I am a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. I congratulate the PSNI and Garda Síochána on the work they are doing. During her visit about two months ago to Hannah House in Dublin, I spoke to the assistant commissioner of the PSNI about the arrangements in place for gardaí taking up service in the PSNI and vice versa. Such persons are required to resign their posts, lose one year's pension and have no guarantee of being able to return to their original post. There is nothing in legislation to deal with this issue. I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment. Many Members have called for a debate on the Garda Síochána and the work it does. Our gardaí put their lives on the line for us. We must recognise they are a group apart in preserving society. We always admire doctors and nurses and so on but no group, other than the Garda Síochána, are asked to put their lives on line for us. I condemn the show of paramilitarism now tolerated by society. While I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment, I would welcome a debate in this House on co-operation North-South between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána and the putting in place of legislative arrangements for gardaí taking up posts in the PSNI and vice versa.