Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

It is a simple "yes" or "no" answer. In my first meeting with the AGSI spokesmen, they said the Minister gave such a commitment. Did the Minister contact them subsequently to resile from that when circumstances altered and the embargo was changed? It would have been good practice to do so.

I share the view of the previous Labour Party spokesman on justice, Deputy Costello, that there is a role for a reserve force. Will the September 2006 target to deploy 900 recruits be met? Does he accept the Garda Commissioner's recommended number of 4,000 recruits in total? What is the training regime for the reserve? Is it set in stone or is it subject to negotiation? Is the Minister now sure of the specific powers to be devolved to the new reserve force?

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