Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. We may have been reading different newspapers but there was one case where the rank of the garda who authorised the checkpoint was an issue. I am sure the Minister has access to more authoritative information on that.

While I will not press the amendment, I am struck by how the Garda management structure is extremely narrow. As there are only 158 superintendents, 45 chief superintendents and nine assistant commissioners, 80% of the force cannot take a decision on these checkpoints. Is it wise to have people excluded from decision-making? What do we expect the Garda to do, given its incredible public prestige and the invaluable role it plays in promoting road safety? We might consider this amendment in the context of other legislation the Minister has said he will introduce later in the year or on Report Stage. If very few people at the top are making decisions, what does this do to an organisation tackling the major problem of the loss of so many lives on the roads?