Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put on record that as a practising barrister, I regularly appear for the Commissioner; I suspect he is unaware of this - not that I have any pecuniary interest or anything like that, but I want to declare that.

I wish to address three issues. First, I refer to legal training for gardaí who appear in the District Court. I know presenting sergeants and presenting inspectors do much of that work but it often falls on individual garda to appear in cases or, in fact, to lead cases one way or another. I feel they get inadequate training in Templemore. I have been part of that training in the past, although it was a long time ago. I feel that many newer gardaí who are pitched into the District Court are pitched in to the lion’s den very often and additional legal training would be hugely beneficial.

I ask about the average speed cameras, which are welcome. They are a good measure but it is important how and where they are deployed. One of the criticisms often made of Garda speed traps generally – I know the average speed cameras can only exist in a particular environment – is the “shooting fish in a barrel” criticism. One will see cameras and instances in my own area in Blackrock, on the Stillorgan dual carriageway, for example, where there are no accidents or fatalities on anything like a frequent basis, and we hope that will continue. A speed trap there appears to more of a revenue-generating exercise than a road safety measure. I raise two issues about the average speed cameras. First, can we make sure they have that road safety aspect foremost? Second, if there are going to be action days in the future, for example, can they still be rolled out to ensure they are still functioning on days when action is taking place in terms of fewer gardaí available?

Finally, I wish to ask about the effective measures being implemented as part of the recruitment and retention programme. In respect of keeping gardaí on the force and satisfied, what are the effective measures being put in place to do that?