Chairman: The purpose of today's meeting is to have discussions with the Garda Commissioner on two main topics - first, recent gangland-related crimes and, second, community policing and the closure of Garda barracks.

The format of today's meeting is that the Commissioner will make opening remarks, which will be followed by a questions and answers session. With the Commissioner's agreement, I propose that we divide the session in two and deal with gangland crime first. After members have engaged on that subject, the Commissioner can make a presentation on the second topic, namely, community policing and the closure of Garda barracks, and members will engage on it. They are distinct areas.

That is fine.

Before we begin, I draw the witnesses' attention to the privilege situation. They should note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given.

Chairman:

Mr. Martin Callinan: On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Martin Callinan, the Deputy Garda Commissioner for operations, Ms Noirín O'Sullivan, the Deputy Garda Commissioner for strategy and change management, Mr. Nacie Rice, the Assistant Garda Commissioner for national support services, Mr. Derek Byrne, and the Assistant Garda Commissioner for crime and security, Mr. John O'Mahoney. Superintendent David Taylor, Garda public relations officer, is also present.

[For the full debate, click on this link to the Oireachtas website]