Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to add my word in regard to Tony O'Reilly. I was at school at the same time as him and played rugby against him. I have a photograph at home, of which I am very proud, of the two of us running. We, in the Newbridge Dominicans, were playing the Jesuits. We cheated. We said a novena for bad weather - nine days prayer for bad weather - and the Lord listened to us and we got the worst day ever. O'Reilly only got the ball twice, so he only scored two tries. We did not win but it was a great record.

As Senator Leyden said, we should remember the work he has done for the Ireland Fund over the years. I got to know Sir Anthony O'Reilly very well over those years and have been to the weddings of some of his sons. He is a man we should be very proud of. Despite his recent financial difficulties, when I wrote to him recently, I got a lovely note back thanking me for my note.

I would also like to raise the issue of the crime wave we are experiencing. There are steps we can take, one of which is a copy of what is being done in other countries.We should be able to help citizens feel more connected to the Garda. A person may not be in a situation to ring 999 or whatever the number is but may want to talk to a garda about a certain issue. The 999 number is for emergencies and is only to be used when a crime is being committed or help is required immediately. We could create for citizens a telephone number that is easy to remember in order that they might share their concerns if they see something that needs to be done. According to the relevant website, "101 is the number to call when you want to contact your local police in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland - when it's less urgent than a 999 call," that is, to report crimes and other matters in respect of which an emergency response is not needed. This number can be used if there is a minor traffic collision, if people want to give the police information about crime in their areas or if someone wants to speak to an officer in general terms. This has been done in several other countries and we should consider it here because people may want to contact the Garda but may not need to call 999 and create urgency about something that is, if fact, not quite so urgent. It would be worthwhile passing this comment on to the Minister for Justice and Equality in the hope that it might be passed on to the Garda. It would cost nothing to establish the new number and calls to it would not give rise to the same urgency as that attaching to 999 calls. People could use it in order to highlight something that requires attention.