Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the Deputy in that. It is very important, not just for the gardaí but for the Prison Service, the Court Service and all agencies that fall under the remit of the Department of Justice, that they clearly set out their Irish-language strategies and plans. Earlier, I mentioned the 2030 target for the 20% of recruits. In order to reach that, all our agencies need to make sure they are doing the work they need to do, not just to encourage more people into their organisations but to make sure that those who are there are supported. There should be opportunities available at all times to those who, perhaps, did not consider Irish as a language or who are not proficient to improve their language skills. That is set out in the Irish-language strategy, our plan within An Garda Síochána.

I reiterate what Mícheál Ó Cearúil said in his opening remarks. As part of the consultation process with the Commissioner and the Policing Authority, when they were drafting the new regulations, in regard to the sergeant and inspector rank, the foundation training programme has those specific requirements I mentioned for recruits to learn and demonstrate their competency and proficiency in the Irish language. That is there and it is part of making sure that those who say they can speak Irish will be able to speak it. It is important to retain and maintain that as well.