Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a number of points in response to what members have said. In response to Deputy Alan Farrell, under this subhead, we need more sophisticated technology to track the HR side of An Garda Síochána. This need has clearly been identified. An Garda Síochána does not have the necessary systems in place. There has been no investment to speak of in the HR side of ICT for An Garda Síochána and it is urgently needed. Under another subhead, a total of €3 million has been allocated initially. We need a detailed analysis which I hope to receive very quickly of ICT needs in terms of computer-aided dispatch, HR and an overall ICT system. I do not wish to invest money that is not part of an overall approach to meeting the ICT needs of An Garda Síochána. Work remains to be done in that regard.

The review of the Haddington Road agreement is being carried out. It is also being carried out by the Garda Inspectorate. I have been told by the chief inspector, Mr. Bob Olson, that it will be available in January.

In response to the question about Garda numbers, that is one of the key issues in the Haddington Road agreement review. The review is focusing on operations and administration. There is a review of the deployment of members. In response to Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn’s point about numbers, discussion of the review by the committee would be a key input, which I would welcome. In the review a very rigorous look is being taken at deployment, numbers, civilian staff and appropriate roles. It will be a good piece of work that will help us to focus on precisely the questions members have raised, not in a political way but one which assesses what the needs are, where we need gardaí and how we match appropriate numbers with areas of need in terms of crime prevention and security.