Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Any report that makes 200 recommendations on the operation of the Garda Síochána, and describes some of the recommendations as more urgent because they have been made previously but not fully implemented, requires a full debate in the House. I call for that debate. I caution against two extremes in the response to the Olson report. One is the extreme tended towards by the mainstream political parties, which involves a blind rush to the defence of the Garda Síochána, as though any criticism were inappropriate. Just as wrong, however, is the attitude of Sinn Féin in describing the Garda Síochána as not fit for purpose. The view is understandable in the context of the post-conflict situation in Northern Ireland and the work of the police force there, but there is no suggestion of bias on the part of the Garda Síochána against any group. Taking the Sinn Féin position is inconsistent with the role it is trying to play in Irish politics.

I would go further-----