Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I went out to meet ex-members of the Defence Forces who had a coherent and loud message for Government that they wanted better conditions. It is something as a member of Government I certainly support. I hope the Government can see a way to working towards getting better conditions for people who have effectively held the line in difficult times and who have represented our country around the world on United Nations duties.

I agree with the future of policing report under the new Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris. We need to have a debate in this House. If it goes the same way as the Patten commission on policing in Northern Ireland, it would be a huge success. People do not realise that Mr. Chris Patten's grandfather came from Boyle in County Roscommon. We are proud of Chris Patten and how he has handled himself, especially in the Brexit negotiations.

Recently there was a housing protest in the north inner city of Dublin. Commissioner Harris rightly said that the form of attire used by gardaí was not correct. Sometimes in this Seanad or even in politics more generally we need to be careful of how we criticise An Garda Síochána. My grandfather was one of the first gardaí. I am proud of the role they have played. They have made mistakes but I am very much behind An Garda Síochána and politicians should be also. The policing report will hopefully draw a line under what at times can be an easy go at members of An Garda Síochána. They do a tough job. I recently saw that a member of An Garda Síochána was attacked by a criminal gang while bringing his child to school. We should be careful about these online threats on social media. I would not like to be a garda and have people taking my photograph, putting it online and knowing where I live. The policing report is worthy and welcome but it is our police force and I am proud of it.