I welcome the suggestion by Senator Darragh O'Brien to hold a debate on policing next week. It would be useful in the context of the terrible crime that has happened this week. We have debated the issue in general recently.

One idea is to restructure the Garda to some extent. There is an embargo on Garda recruitment at present. In many instances when people attend Garda stations they see a garda stamping a form or carrying out administrative work for which he or she is over-qualified.

It is a legal requirement that a garda must sign those forms.

I am not talking about that. It is terrible to be interrupted because it puts one off one's train of thought.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

No, I take Senator Norris's point. I do not mean all of those functions that are assigned to gardaí but the general administrative functions that qualified gardaí must undertake.

We are not having that debate today.