Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of questions. On the issue of training, Deputy Clare Daly raised training in respect of child protection. Another issue that was raised during the year was the ability of gardaí to give chase. I do not believe the Department ever provided figures on how many gardaí were qualified up to CBD, competency based driving, level 2, although I might be mistaken. My recollection is that the information available was the Garda Representative Association's, GRA's, view that less than half of front-line gardaí had that qualification. Is additional money being provided for training in that area for the coming year?

Second, money is allocated for new technologies next year. I presume, and hope, some of that is related to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland's recommendations. Is the proposal for body cameras to be included in that or will that be advanced in 2019?

Third, there are substantial waiting times for civil legal aid and it is difficult to get that aid. There is a marginal improvement on 2017 in that regard but can the Minister outline what he intends to do to address that?