I invite the House to think about An Garda Síochána and the unique monopoly services it provides to the Irish people. Its ability to deliver those services affects us all on a daily basis. I commend our local An Garda Síochána. Since 2008 when I entered public life, I have had relationships with community gardaí and local sergeants and superintendents who do tremendous work on the ground, go beyond the call of duty, attend the community meetings and go out there and give up their own free time continuously to our community. The tremendous work that goes on voluntarily, as well as part of our their duty of An Garda Síochána, needs to be put on the record. An Garda Síochána is a key national institution. It is there to protect and serve. Such an organisation deserves the best leadership culture. The quality of the service delivered by An Garda Síochána over the course of the leadership of former Commissioner, Drew Harris declined dramatically. His tenure as Commissioner was built on myth, smoke and mirrors and cloak and dagger. Let me address the myth of Drew Harris, the great disciplinarian. There is a world of difference between being a good disciplinary, which requires impartiality, objectivity, proportionality and respect for human rights and what we truly got, which was an autocrat, oppressor and petty peevish management style. The public inquiry that is occurring in respect to the Limerick situation with Superintendent Eamon O'Neill and colleagues, which the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have agreed to, will demonstrate a radical difference between Drew Harris, the myth and Drew Harris, the lived reality. A number of weeks ago, I raised questions in this House regarding the case of Mr. John Barrett. I am sure that this will refute the myth of Mr. Drew Harris and the question of being a disciplinarian. It will lead to serious questions that will land at the doors of Cabinet and the Minister's desk. In the case of the bicycle gate and how the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, NBCI, seized bicycles from pensioners, will also discredit and destroy the current myth of Drew Harris, the disciplinarian. Let me address the prudent management myth of Drew Harris. Mr. Harris left us with a weakened policing infrastructure, fewer gardaí per 100,000 of population despite a 70% increase in the budget of policing in the course of his service of this country, mid-career resignations at the highest level never seen before in this country, a Garda Reserve that is practically non-existent and a sop called community safety wardens, which was given on a whim by the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Helen McEntee, and not integrated into the policing model. Was the former Minister "Svengalied" by Drew Harris? Was she manipulated or did she act as a willing accomplice?

Sentiment score: 0.17