Mr. Drew Harris:

Under the present rules around GDPR we do not record ethnicity as an employer. We are going through an exercise that is an analysis of the PPS numbers. That may give us anonymised information in respect of the composition of An Garda Síochána. That is being done, in effect, outside the organisation and the information is being provided back to us. That will give us a benchmark of where we are at the moment. The figures around our recent recruitment competition are still being analysed but look very favourable in terms of representation among those who have applied for An Garda Síochána. We are pleased about that but are very conscious of our composition and our make-up.

On gender balance, it should very obviously be 50:50. That is an obvious point to make and one that was made at the recent International Association of Women Police conference. We are committed to being sure An Garda Síochána is seen as an employer that welcomes everyone and makes full use of the skills and attributes of those who wish to join.