Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to devote my time to my contribution rather than rebukes to comments made by the previous speaker. I, too, call on the Leader to seek further reassurances from the Minister for Justice and Equality that the appointment of the charity regulator will be in place before Easter, as announced last week. I fully agree with Senator Martin Conway that money raised for charities in the name of charities should be totally given to charities. It should be likewise with services where the money is given for that charity or service. The money should go exactly to the people who need it most. We are looking at cutbacks, cuts in services and long waiting lists. Yet the top executives are getting the money. It is an issue I have raised continuously in the past two years. I remarked on Tuesday that this is opening another can of worms. In the past two years I have highlighted continuously the reluctance I have found having made inquiries and sought information from services. We need full transparency. This is our opportunity to get the matter in order and to have open and transparent accounts of what is taking place.

I extend my sincere sympathies yet again to Caroline Donohoe and her children, Amy and Niall, as we approach the first anniversary of the death of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was brutally murdered on 25 January last year.

I understand that tomorrow evening, 24 January, a memorial service, a candlelight vigil and moment of silence will take place outside Lordship credit union where the brutal murder took place. I commend the Garda in the area and throughout the country on its dignity and diligence in the pursuit of justice following the brutal murder of Detective Garda Detective Adrian Donohoe. I am aware from speaking to members of the Garda and friends of Adrian Donohoe throughout the year that the dignity and courage they have shown has been outstanding. I too urge that all resources that can be made available should be made available to apprehend the culprits for this heinous crime as soon as possible. This murder rocked the country to the core. I will never forget the air of stillness at his funeral last year among every member of the Garda and Dundalk community far and wide. I was reminded this morning while listening to a radio interview by the chairperson of St. Pat's of the community spirit felt in the clubrooms at the time. The Garda has been relentless throughout the year in exploring every avenue and has given up all its spare time and overtime. I welcome the fact that progress has been made, although it is slow. I understand that when these people are apprehended, they will be punished as the case is watertight. However, more information is needed for the perpetrators to be brought forward. There are people out there who know what happened but who have not come forward.