Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to talk about resources. I am concerned about what will happen on the Border following Brexit. I have lived in Dundalk all my life. I have family on both sides of the Border. In fairness, the peace process in 1998 was one of the best developments to happen in this country. I would not like to see it go back to the way it was. I have no intentions here of slagging off anybody. What is most important here to me is peace and working together.

I am a bit concerned about resources. There has been one good development in that I am delighted to see the Garda College in Templemore up and running again. The Commissioner mentioned there are 180, whether one calls them graduates or recruits, coming on line in November. That is a major plus.

Is the Commissioner happy enough with the numbers that are coming out from Templemore? At present, he has between 600 and 800 per annum. My main concern there is the Garda has a lot of retirements as well. The Minister has given a commitment that there will be 4,000 civilians employed by the Garda, which in turn would release gardaí to work on the beat. The Commissioner mentioned getting the paperwork sorted out. Will he elaborate on the resources, especially this commitment on the 4,000 civilians?

In Dundalk - the reason I mention Dundalk is it is the best example for me because it is the area I am from, but I am sure this happens in all the other Border towns as well - they seem to be short a few Garda cars. Living close to a motorway, there are many pluses but there are also many negatives. As gardaí tell me, people from the other jurisdiction come in, rob and get back on the motorway, and it is difficult to monitor the motorway. As I stated earlier, it is important that we get these resources.

The Commissioner mentioned promotions. He mentioned 100 or so sergeants getting promoted. In Dundalk, there are six vacancies for sergeants. As the Commissioner will be aware, it is important to have the more experienced people in the Border area or in certain other areas. It is important that we have the proper resources there. Will the Commissioner elaborate? Is he Commissioner happy enough with the resources, with Templemore and with these 4,000 civilians the Garda is getting?