Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I put it to the Minister that this has been a most disappointing campaign on the part of the Government. The Garda reserve process has resulted in failure. It was the brainchild of a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell who is on record as stating that the Government target would see figures in the order of 900 reservists by 2006. The programme for Government is committed to a force of 1,500. The numbers are already in decline. The Minister's response today indicates that there are currently 261 attested members. A parliamentary question answered on 4 March indicated that the figures for January were 277, including 60 in training. These people are falling off the back of the trailer already because there is no commitment on the part of the Government to the Garda reserve operation. I put it to the Minister that it has been a failure.

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