Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The Bill that went through the Dáil contained one section dealing with the volunteer reserve force consisting of 15 or 16 lines. It was very sparse in detail. On various Stages I queried the lack of detail on protections, safeguards and training and asked for some specific details but very few specifics were forthcoming. This is part of the problem when one is introducing something as major as another police force. The Minister has referred to building up the reserve force to 4,000 members. This will have major repercussions. The reassurances that were needed at the time were not forthcoming and have not been given since, even though the Minister has gone down the road some distance towards opening the debate, having consultation and so on. The fear of the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors arises from the Minister's past record in regard to delivery of services to the Garda.

See this speech in context