Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other colleagues, I wish Mr. Jimmy Walsh well in his retirement. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House for an update on what progress, if any, has been made in regard to the ongoing difficulties in An Garda Síochána. As I pointed out to the House on a number of occasions, morale is at an all-time low within the police force of this State and the situation is only going to get more difficult for ordinary rank and file gardaí if the difficulties that exist are not sorted out.

I ask the Leader to clarify a report in today's newspaper that people who choose to pay the household charge through the post office will have to pay an additional charge for the privilege of doing so. If that is correct, I consider it totally unacceptable.