Vol. 111 No. 13
I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £1,919,190 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1949, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Garda Síochána (No. 7 of 1925, No. 10 of 1926, No. 5 of 1937, No. 19 of 1941, Nos. 1 and 17 of 1945) and for payments of compensation and other expenses arising out of service in the Local Security Force (No. 19 of 1946).
I do not intend to say very much on this Vote but it is possible that an admission of mine, while speaking on the main Estimate, might be misunderstood. I refer to what was said about the special branch. I do not want my position to be misunderstood in the matter. I want to say that that particular branch of the Garda Síochána was responsible for preventing subversive elements in this country from dragging us into the late war. Had it not been for the service given by that branch this country would have found itself in a very precarious position indeed. The officer who has been promoted was an officer of the Garda Síochána prior to our administration. He was a most efficient officer in every way. I congratulate the present Government on having promoted him. He richly deserved it. There is no finer officer in the service.
I do not want this debate to conclude without a special tribute from me to all members of the Garda Síochána from the commissioner right down. I would like to pay a special tribute to General Murphy for the magnificent way in which he handled the L.S.F., I would like to pay a special tribute to the Chief Superintendent in charge of the Special Branch, the late Chief Superintendent Gantley. He did magnificent work for us. I congratulate the Government in the appointment of his successor.
I would appeal to the Minister to ensure that those young men who enlisted in the Taca Síochána in the first instance will be treated in all respects as if they had enlisted in the Gárda Síochána in regard to salary, pension rights and so on.
I accept the tribute paid to the Gardaí by my predecessor. He knows their merits and their worth.
