Seanad report: Calling on the Minister for Justice to listen to the legitimate concerns of gardaí over the planned reserve force and other issues, Noel Coonan (FG) said: "I would much prefer them to be protecting law and order in this country than some special force. We had the B Specials before in the North of Ireland. We do not want a Garda special force here again."
Mr Coonan said he was amazed that people were running scared because gardaí might become "political". From his experience, gardaí had been politically appointed down through the years. The Garda Representative Association had legitimate concerns about the manner in which the reserve force was being put forward. It was not so long ago since gardaí had to resort to the "blue flu" to try to get their points of view across, but even then their demands had not been met. They still had to use defective patrol cars and many of them lived in rat-infested stations.
Some political appointees in the force were the only people who did not have a problem with the legislation providing for a reserve force. "I admire the groups for speaking out. They are not threatening to form a political party, but they want their voices heard," added Mr Coonan.
Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, suggested that the Minister postpone for a month or two the introduction of a reserve force to provide a breathing space in which Mr McDowell could meet the Garda Representative Association to work out the differences between them.
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said the issue should be moved into mediation or arbitration. Everyone had to move slightly. While the Minister had to implement the wishes of the Oireachtas, the Garda representative body had valid worries and concerns.
Brendan Ryan (Lab) said the public were totally bewildered as to why the gardaí had such an objection to the reserve.
"They are coming to very unflattering conclusions about the motives of the gardaí."
John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said there had been one unfortunate example in the early years of the State when there was a very real danger that the police force could have been used for political purposes. Fortunately, we had come through that.
Martin Mansergh (FF) said it was the duty of these people to uphold the institutions of the State.
James Bannon (FG) said that the Garda was under-resourced and morale in its ranks was at an all-time low because the Minister for Justice spoke from two sides of his mouth on several issues.