Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I want to be associated with the statements which were made in expressing condolences with the family of Michael O'Regan. I have been in this House for nearly 26 years and he has been a feature of political commentary all of that time and longer. He was a great storyteller, someone with a great sense of humour, someone who loved an argument but who also listened to other people's perspectives. He will be missed by many people close to him and his family. I want to be associated with the condolences and comments which have been made.

On the understandable requests for a debate in this House on the Children's Rights Alliance report and score card, there are positives and progress there but also areas where there is serious work to do. I share the concern, as I think everyone in Government does, that there are still children in psychiatric wards. That needs to change and we would welcome an opportunity to have a debate on those issues and to update the House on the Government's response. I do not believe it will be possible to do it this week but I hope it can be arranged in the Business Committee for either next week or the following week. If Opposition parties would be agreeable, we will certainly try to accommodate that as best we can.

One Deputy Mattie McGrath's request for a debate on Garda numbers, there has been a great deal of discussion around security, crime, making our streets safer and on Garda numbers. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is making significant progress in this space. Garda recruitment is accelerating. There is strong interest, I am glad to say, in joining An Garda Síochána at the moment and, of course, we are now going to set more ambitious targets in terms of the Garda Reserve. There is much happening there, I say to the Deputy, and there are plenty of opportunities for him to raise concerns, whether it is through parliamentary questions, through Leaders' Questions or during Private Members' time also. That is something I would encourage the Deputy to raise at the Business Committee if he wants to create time and space for that.

See this speech in context