Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

In July 2005, as part of a submission on the future resourcing requirements of the Garda, the Garda Commissioner proposed the recruitment of up to 4,000 reserve members, as provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, and an increase in the force's strength from 14,000 to 15,000. In response, and in the context of identifying policing priorities for inclusion in the Garda policing plan for 2006, I set the objective of the recruitment of 900 reserve members by September 2006. Subsequently, the Commissioner submitted detailed proposals to me on the recruitment, training, powers, duties and deployment of reserve members. The proposals envisage a thoroughly trained reserve with carefully selected powers and duties, working under the supervision of members of the Garda.

I must make regulations under the 2005 Act, with Government approval, to give effect to these proposals. I have made it clear that, before I do so, I would like to have detailed consultations with the Garda representative associations and I intend also to refer the regulations in draft form to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for its consideration. I should have them in the next few days. The recruitment campaign for reserve members will commence as soon as the regulations are made.

I have met representatives of all four Garda associations on this issue and have invited them to further and more detailed discussions. The Garda reserve will reinforce the links between the Garda and local communities and it will enhance the capacity of the force to respond to emerging policing challenges. I have seen how well special constabularies, which are broadly equivalent to the reserve, work in Britain and how good and effective are the relations between them and the regular police forces. This is a great opportunity to enhance the policing service and I urge the two main Garda associations to take the opportunity to make their contribution to it. My door is open for consultation.

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