Any report that makes 200 recommendations on the operation of An Garda Síochána, and describes some of the recommendations as more urgent because they have been made previously but not fully implemented, requires a full debate in the House. I call for that debate. I caution against two extremes in the response to the Olson report. One is the extreme tended towards by the mainstream political parties, which involves a blind rush to the defence of An Garda Síochána, as though any criticism were inappropriate. Just as wrong, however, is the attitude of Sinn Féin in describing the Garda Síochána as not fit for purpose. The view is understandable in the context of the post-conflict situation in Northern Ireland and the work of the police force there, but there is no suggestion of bias on the part of An Garda Síochána against any group. Taking the Sinn Féin position is inconsistent with the role it is trying to play in Irish politics. I would go further-----

On a point of order, Sinn Féin has never stated An Garda Síochána was biased.

That is not a point of order.

We need to understand the criticisms made as constructive and we must support the work of An Garda Síochána but also help it to do its work better. The criticisms must be understood in the context of major cuts in Garda numbers and resources in the past few years.

Systematic failures and poor management practices have been identified. One of the deficiencies involved a lack of oversight of decisions and an inconsistent approach to updating victims of crimes and a lack of IT and equipment to support the investigation of crime. There have been delays and failures, with gardaí getting statements of complaint and criminal cases even being adjourned.

These are points the Senator can make during the debate.

I understand that. It makes all the more urgent the call I made here recently, to which the Minister for Justice and Equality appeared to respond positively, for the introduction of a "Track my crime" online system to allow victims of crime to access information about how their cases are being managed and dealt with and to access information that is important to them.

The Senator is way over time.

That is one practical way in which we can improve the service being provided to An Garda Síochána, but it must be resourced, particularly in the area of IT.