Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It assists the work of the Garda Síochána, which is welcome.

On the question of training, the members of the Garda Reserve receive substantial training, some 120 hours of initial training spread over four phases.

In response to Deputy Timmins's question on Garda training and Garda Reserve training generally, I acknowledge there is a strain on the existing facilities. That is one of the reasons there are plans to consider revamping the facilities in Templemore. However, that is the result of a successful campaign by the Government to increase the Garda numbers to 15,000 by 2010.

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