Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join other colleagues in sympathising with Senator John Kelly on the death of his father. Senator Aideen Hayden and I attended the funeral in Roscommon this morning. I know the Senator appreciates the kind concerns of colleagues on his bereavement.

I again call for a debate on the issue I raised last week, namely, the recording of telephone calls in Garda stations, a serious issue which has been ongoing for the past 30 years. It is welcome that a commission of investigation will be established to investigate the extent and implications of this practice. This has been ongoing throughout the terms of office of different Governments and Ministers for Justice and different Garda Commissioners. The extent of the knowledge of all of these individuals has not yet been ascertained, but it would worth hearing. It is also welcome that we will now have an independent policing authority and that, through the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, we will see other reforms in regard to the oversight of An Garda Síochána. I hope we will at last see reform of the procedures and processes of An Garda Síochána to ensure we will not see a repeat of such practices in the future.