Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would also like to pass on my sympathies to Senator Clifford-Lee and her husband, John, on the death of his father.

Today, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality briefed the Cabinet on the situation with An Garda Síochána and announced the establishment of a policing commission. Having been at the justice committee for four hours last week listening to the Garda Commissioner do her best, in one sense, to give answers but not give too many answers, in another sense, I believe society needs to have a root-and-branch review of policing and how it is done.

Over the years, we have always been proud of our gardaí. It is mostly an unarmed force and many of its members have done an exemplary job. Unfortunately, bad practices seem to have gone down through the ranks over the years. We saw an explicit example of this with the inaccurate reporting of breath testing. That is just one clear, unambiguous and glorified example and there are many more. It is a pity we need a commission to do an overall root-and-branch review of the Garda.

Will the Leader bring the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality into the House to brief us on how she envisages this commission will go about its work? I hope it will engage and consult with both Houses, as well as looking for submissions from and engagement with civic society. There are many groups who have much to say and will want to make submissions on best practice. I have been fortunate enough with some colleagues to be on the justice committee of this and the previous Oireachtas. We went to Scotland and Northern Ireland to examine their police forces. The PSNI is an example of best practice in terms of its structures and so forth. The police force in Scotland is also an excellent example of best policing practice. The wheel does not need to be re-invented. Will the Leader provide an engagement with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality on the policing commission announced this morning?