Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I shall leave out what I was going to say.

I have a question on the professionalisation that was mentioned earlier, which is a welcome move by the service. The issue of continuous professional development, ongoing training on the job and-or even the likes of proficiency, and-or physical fitness tests and such like are very important. I am interested to hear the Garda Commissioner's view, and that of the Assistant Commissioners in attendance, on the necessity to provide additional continuous professional development for members of the service.

I am aware that members of the force seek a professional qualification in a particular field which I assume is complementary to their role. I am aware also that, as in any other employment, there are certain provisions to allow for this. In terms of the need for ongoing training, it has been brought to my attention on a number of occasions, anecdotally, that when certain members leave Templemore, that is pretty much it in terms of their education. They will be briefed on certain aspects of new legislative provisions and so on, but in terms of CPD in which members of many professions are required to take part, what is the view of the Commissioner on it being a requirement for members of An Garda Síochána?