Deputies strongly condemned the murder of Garda McCabe last week and urged gardai to resolve their differences over representative bodies.

The murder dominated debate on the Garda Siochana Bill which enables the Minister to withdraw recognition from a representative body whose rules do not conform to prescribed standards.

Mr Brendan McGahon (FG, Louth) called for counter terrorism measures to deal with the republican subversive threat. "The only way you will deal with terror is counter terror on behalf of the State."

Mr Batt O'Keeffe (FF, Cork South Central) said there were 100 fewer gardai in the force now than three years ago. The crime problem could not be tackled unless the force was given the resources needed and something was done about its age profile.

Ms Roisin Shortall (Lab, Dublin North West)said Garda morale was sapped by the perception that promotion was impossible without political connections. The possibility of an independent Garda authority should be considered. Border security over BSE cost £0.5 million a week, leading to cuts.

Garda spending in the Dublin area. She questioned the payment of a 7.5 per cent bonus to gardai in the Gaeltacht.

The second staff was passed and the Bill was referred to a Dail committee.