We are all tremendously proud of the Garda Síochána for the service its members have given since the foundation of the State and the bravery shown by individual gardaí over the years.

Hear, hear.

Today, however, is a very black day for the force as the Smithwick tribunal report shows there was foul collusion in the murder of two members of another police force. I accept what Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said regarding the institutionalised collusion by the British Government through the agency of the SAS and so on. That collusion was starkly outlined in a recent book by Anne Cadwallader. We can only conclude that if what went on in the North was a war, then it was a very dirty war. None of the parties has come out of it with any great honour and glory. Thanks be to God that people like Albert Reynolds, Garret FitzGerald, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and others were able to prevail upon those involved in that war to put an end to it.

Senator O'Sullivan should have a chat with his party leader about the history of it all.