Madam, - As a former member of the Permanent Defence Forces, I note with profound regret both the recent article on the planned Garda reserve by P.J. Stone (Opinion & Analysis, March 31st) and Mr Stone's subsequent remarks on the visit of the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to the UK to look at the operations of the police reserve in that jurisdiction.
The first commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Commissioner Michael Staines, once said that "the Garda Síochána will succeed, not by force of arms or numbers, but by their moral authority as servants of the people". The decisions of the Oireachtas are the means by which the people of Ireland express their will, and must be respected by all these who deserve to be called servants of the people.
The current Garda Commissioner has correctly said: "The legislators have legislated. We must comply with the legislation. The elected politicians have made a decision that the reserve will be recruited and that's what is going to happen. Anything that improves the service to the community, I'm all for it, and I feel this will improve the service."
In contrast, Mr Stone appears to believe he can set at naught a decision of the Oireachtas and has attacked the integrity of his commanding officer, the Garda Commissioner, for doing no more and no less than his duty - that is, seeking to implement the law of the land.
How can Mr Stone expect members of the public to respect the Garda Síochána if the representatives of the Garda will not respect the decisions of the Oireachtas from which their own authority derives?
Mr Stone claims the Government is not committed to properly resourcing the Garda. In fact the Garda is now better resourced than at any time in its history. Spending has increased from €609 million in 1997 to €1.25 billion today. Garda numbers have risen from 10,800 to 12,264 today, (more than 13 per cent). By the end of 2006, total Garda numbers (including recruits in training) will exceed 14,000.
Mr Stone claims to be defending the professional standards of the force, but how could anyone describe his recent comments, in which he has made personalised attacks on the integrity and character of the Commissioner, as anything other than unprofessional?
I had the honour to serve beside members of the Garda Síochána and have always admired their courage, commitment and professionalism. I valued and value their friendship. We took a similar oath and stayed loyal to it. When I read what P.J. Stone had to say in recent weeks I begin to wonder what his oath means to him and where is he leading his members and An Garda Síochána. - Yours, etc,
Senator JOHN MINIHAN, Seanad Éireann, Dublin 2.