asked the Minister for Justice if he will establish a police authority which he indicated he favoured as recently as last September.

As I stated in reply to a question on 19th November last, the possibility of establishing a police authority will be further considered in conjunction with any relevant recommendations made by the management consultants who are at present engaged on an assignment in relation to the Garda Síochána. It will be some months before the consultants furnish their final report and recommendations.

Have recommendations or proposals come from anybody else?

Other than the Garda?

No, as well as the Garda. Have the views of the Garda been sought?

I take it that they are in continuous consultation but I am not personally aware if this is so.