Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

Under section 15 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for the establishment of a Garda reserve, the powers and duties of reserve members may be determined by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, in a comprehensive submission to me on the Garda reserve, has proposed that the powers of reserve members will be confined to the enforcement of certain aspects of the following Acts: under the Road Traffic Acts — demanding driving licences and insurance details, enforcing the wearing of seat belts etc; under the Public Order Act — dealing with the offences of intoxication, threatening behaviour, disorderly conduct and failure to comply with the direction of a member of the Garda Síochána; and under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act — dealing with the offences of theft and burglary. Reserve members would also be given the power of arrest under the Criminal Law Act 1997, which provides powers of arrest for both members of the Garda Síochána and civilians.

The Commissioner's proposals make clear that reserve members will receive more than 120 hours initial training, which is up to the best international standard, including training on the exercise by reserve members of their powers, which are limited; they will be vetted to the same extent as full-time gardaí as regards security and character — there is no danger of infiltration by subversives or criminals of the reserve force or the force in general; they will have the same educational standards as recruits to the full-time force; they will only patrol in the presence and under the supervision of full-time members; they will only serve in uniform and will not drive official vehicles or carry firearms; they will be subject to a full disciplinary code; and they will not be deployed to carry out duties in their own immediate neighbourhoods.

I have said that I am extremely impressed with the comprehensive nature of the proposals for the Garda Síochána reserve made to me by the Garda Commissioner. The proposals envisage a thoroughly trained reserve with carefully selected powers and duties, working under the supervision of members of the Garda Síochána. I have asked each of the Garda representative associations to meet me to discuss the proposals before I proceed to draw up the necessary regulations for Government approval. I am glad to say the associations have agreed to this and the meetings are scheduled to take place over the next two weeks. I have also said that I will present the regulations in draft form to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for consideration.

The Garda reserve will be a valuable additional support for the Garda Síochána. It will enhance the force's capacity to respond to emerging policing challenges and will reinforce its links with local communities. At the same time, the strength of the force is being massively increased from 12,000 to 14,000 members and the Garda budget is also at an all time high. This year's allocation of €1.29 billion represents an increase of 13% on the allocation for 2005. It includes provision of over €83.5 million for overtime, an increase of €23 million on last year's allocation, which will yield over 2.7 million hours of Garda overtime for frontline policing throughout the State. Millions of euro are being spent on upgrading Garda stations throughout the country and the roll out of a new state-of-the-art Garda digital radio system will commence this year.

This huge increase in the strength and resources of the Garda Síochána, supplemented by the additional resource of a well trained reserve with carefully selected powers and duties, will significantly increase the capacity of the Garda Síochána to combat crime and disorder, and provide the public with the security and safety it rightly demands.

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