Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While there are always difficulties and challenges in every situation, including in the force, we need a bit of balance in our commentary. Everything is not "on the floor"; everything is not disastrous. The Government has increased the training allowance and has increased the age of entry to An Garda Síochána from 35 to 50. We want to grow the force to 15,000 members and beyond. There were approximately 319 retirements and 169 resignations in 2023 but 746 trainees entered Templemore last year, the highest intake since 2018. Recruitment is not on the floor.

See this speech in context