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

First, I have never claimed to be able to bring gardaí out of Templemore early. I am very clear on that. The response to your question is the response you would have gotten, irrespective of any other posts. The Garda Commissioner of course engaged with me before that decision was taken and it is a very positive decision. Instead of 153 members coming out on 12 January, 153 will be coming out on 16 December. They will deployed in stations. Unfortunately for them, they will graduate on Friday and be out on the street and working the following day. Obviously, we can all appreciate that is what is needed and welcome.

The Garda Commissioner made that decision, but he engaged and consulted with me before that. I welcomed and supported that. I think we all support that decision, and I am very clear on that. My answer in any parliamentary question would be the same. As the Deputy has said, I do not have operational roles in how gardaí are allocated, where they go or when they graduate. That has always been the case.