Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The establishment of the Garda Reserve is one of the most important innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. It has strengthened the links between the Garda Síochána and local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. It brings new life to the organisation through its members. Reserve members bring a fresh and innovative approach to policing as they approach their duties with the different perspectives and skills developed in their everyday jobs and lives. The establishment of the reserve allows committed individuals from a great diversity of professional, social, cultural and ethnic groups to take part in policing.

The Garda Reserve members have been very effective in their role in assisting their full-time colleagues. An operational review undertaken by the Garda Commissioner has found that the Garda Síochána has benefited from the establishment of the reserve and that full-time and reserve members are working well together. I am certain that the positive impacts made by the reserve members to date bode well for the future of the force.

At 30 September 2008, there were 254 attested reserve gardaí and 157 reserve trainees, and some 147 have been recruited to date this year. Recruitment is continuing and regular promotional efforts to attract potential reserve members are being undertaken. There is considerable interest in the Garda Reserve among the general public, with 2,843 applications received by the Public Appointments Service this year until the end of August.

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