Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 70, motion No. 20, be taken before No. 1, without debate. It relates to Taiwan and would follow on from a resolution made on 22 May 2013.

I wish everybody a good rest over the summer recess. We have done quite a deal of work in the Seanad over the last session and it has been important work. I have been disappointed with the response from the Government to the Seanad reform proposals. I believe the Leader will agree that is a matter we need to get a handle on in the new term. To be fair to the Leader, he has driven many positive changes in the running of the Seanad over the past four and a bit years. I found it very unfortunate that the Taoiseach decided in this context to meet the leaders of the parties as opposed to leaders of the parties in the Seanad, including the Leader. We are the ones who are working in the House and we can certainly apply our experience to improve how things are done, particularly around the area of EU legislation.

I ask for a further debate on the commemorations that will take place next year. We have had debates on that previously, but I seek a debate with particular reference to families whose relatives were 1916 or War of Independence veterans. As the Leader knows, the Department of Defence does not issue replacement medals, which is unfortunate coming up to the centenary. I know the reason why but I have had many requests from families who have noted that all the Department will issue are certificates of military service. That is something in itself, but many families have misplaced or lost 1916 service medals or War of Independence medals over the years. Given the centenary, the Department should consider issuing a new medal to relatives who no longer possess the family medals they previously had, so they can wear them with pride next year on the centenary of 1916.

Finally, one of the most urgent things we must do when we return is have a full, frank and honest debate on policing and Garda resources. Garda resources are at an incredibly low level. My brother-in-law will be passing out in Templemore tomorrow with the second batch of recruits, and I wish him well. I am delighted there are new recruits. However, one must consider figures such as the 115,000 warrants that are currently outstanding. In addition, new Garda vehicles are being purchased for stations where there are not enough gardaí to drive them. That is not sustainable. We should have a debate on policing in early course on our return in September prior to getting into the budget and the real battle of the next general election. We probably will only have two to three weeks in September in which we can get some business done. After that, it will be a case of the budget and the general election.

To conclude, I wish everybody well over the summer recess in whatever they are doing. I hope those who are taking a break will enjoy it and to those who are not, I wish them the best of luck on the canvass, although not quite so much good luck to those who are not members of my party. However, I hope everybody enjoys themselves.