Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I join the congratulations to the Cathaoirleach on his appointment and welcome his introductory remarks. Deputy Gannon referred to the imprisonment crisis, which is not going away, cannot go away and must be addressed. It may not be a great vote-getter but unless something is done about it, we are sitting on a powder keg. It is not just a matter of numbers. It is also about any prospect of rehabilitating younger offenders in particular and getting them back as useful members of society. They are kept in squalid conditions at the moment and are subject to bullying, violence, drug-pushing and the like.

I completely agree about the numbers in An Garda Síochána. The numbers are at roughly the same level they were when I ceased to be the Minister for Justice in 2007. With a growing population and economy, we have failed to retain people on the force or to make it an attractive career. We have failed to avail of the opportunity that has been there in the past two decades to keep the force at the size it should be.

In that context, I will also mention the Garda Reserve. It has gone down from approximately 1,200 members to approximately 300. That must change. I am not trying to devalue the work of full-time professional gardaí but I believe that right across the country, in both urban and rural areas, there are women and men who are willing to assist An Garda Síochána, to supplement its numbers where necessary and to show genuine solidarity with the whole process of law enforcement. I would like those issues to feature in our future planning.