Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the pressure the Commissioner is under with regard to recruitment. The numbers just were not there to meet the need on the streets last week. Officers were called in from all over the place. Many of them simply got into their cars to help their colleagues in need at the time. How will this issue be addressed in the long term? Recruitment and retention are issues within An Garda Síochána.

Community policing is at the heart of what the Garda does. I am a great advocate of community policing. I do it in my community and area. It is an important element of good policing. When Mr. Harris came down here first, he brought 12 PSNI officers with him. Is there potential for a shared island initiative in this regard? Several people employed within the PSNI live along the Border, in the Republic of Ireland. Could there be an opportunity for them to transfer to An Garda Síochána if they so choose? Would Mr. Harris welcome such a move? It would be a very good shared island initiative between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. Would Mr. Harris welcome it? We need to find solutions to this going forward, have more recruitment and for gardaí to be better prepared.

I want to talk about water cannons as well.