There is one matter that I particularly want to draw attention to on this Sub-head A, which I presume is now under discussion. Before doing so I would like to say we all have heard from various parts of the country of the doings of the Gárda Síochána, and we know that the praise that has been given to that body, specially in the circumstances, by the Minister for Justice is a praise that has been more than well deserved. The body has created in an abnormally short time a measure of trust and a measure of confidence in the people. It is a remarkable fact that this young Force, established under such painful circumstances, and under such difficult conditions, should so quickly have been able to put themselves into the position that the Minister can say here truly, and say to the knowledge of Deputies who are familiar with the conditions in the country, that this body is receiving the friendly co-operation of the people practically in every part of the country. That has been a credit that has been earned by the members of the Force themselves, both by those who have been in command, and not particularly by those who have been in command, but by the rank and file who have associated themselves with the people, and in carrying out their duties have shown a very considerable sense of discretion, coupled with discipline. I would like to join, in expressing my own personal appreciation, with the Minister who has chosen this occasion, in giving his introduction to this Vote, in according a praise that has been so highly earned.
The matter that I wanted to draw particular attention to on the first detail, "Salaries, Wages and Pay," was in regard to the Commissioner. The Commissioner, as we know, owing to troubles that have occurred in connection with the Army was moved over, and has been acting as General Inspecting Officer in the Army. I had rather expected that the Minister would have taken the opportunity to let us know how he stood in relation to the Civic Guard, and when he was likely to return to that work. I do not think that it is conducive to the discipline of this excellent body, and I do not think that it is conducive to the best interests of the State that the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána should be taken over for so long a time, while still being looked to by the Gárda Síochána as their Chief. I do not know what uniform he wears, but I presume he is wearing the uniform of the Army, and wearing the uniform of the Army in executing his work, if he is still executing his work, as I understand he is, in connection with the Gárda Síochána. I think that is not a good thing for either Force. The Minister himself, in moving this Vote, communicated that it had been judged desirable by him—a very courageous decision and a wise decision that has justified itself—to keep this Force as an unarmed Force.
I am bold to say but for that decision he would not have been able to have stood up in this Dáil and claimed that the Force was receiving the friendly co-operation of the people. I think that that friendly co-operation has been exercised very largely, because, for the first time, they have seen a Force that is in the true sense a police force, an unarmed force, depending upon the co-operation of the citizens for its effectiveness. That having been achieved in the way in which it has been achieved, I think it undesirable that the head of that Force should, while continuing to be the head of the Force, and looked to as the head of the Force, at the same time be the head of the Army. I think that will be appreciated, and I am sure it is the desire of the Minister that an anomaly of that kind should be ended at the earliest possible moment. I think this is the only time that we will have the opportunity of raising this matter. The Minister would, I think, be wise if he stated, now that the peculiar circumstances that called for the transference of the Commissioner to the special duty that he was called upon to exercise in the Army are ended, and we hope they have finally ended—in any case they have considerably mended— that occasion would be taken advantage of to call the Commissioner back to the Civic Guard and let the Commissioner of the Civic Guard be the Commissioner of the Civic Guard, not wearing military uniform and exercising military duties, so as to end the anomaly that has been created. If trouble should ever arise—we hope it will not—it should be remembered that it is not the best thing to do to call upon the Chief of one Force to become the Chief of another Force, while still maintaining his original position. I would like the Minister to state when that position is to be ended, and I would urge upon him that it be ended at the very earliest possible moment.