Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

The Garda college in Templemore, County Tipperary, is probably one of the best police academies in the Europe if not the world. In an effort to accommodate the increasing numbers of recruits who were attending the college some years ago, a number of facilities were removed in order to put in place an accommodation block. The facilities to which I refer were used for the purposes of skills training and included a streetscape that was used as a firing range and to train officers in dealing with public order offences.

Unfortunately, the Garda Síochána is not recruiting at present. However, in 2006 the authorities in Templemore had the foresight to purchase a plot of land some miles from the college, on which facilities similar to those to which I refer were to be put in place. In the interim, the lands to which I refer have lain idle and the necessary facilities have not been put in place. The terrain at the site in question is particularly suited to training officers to use four-wheel-drive vehicles. The plot in question incorporates a mixture of terrains, including ordinary land, forestry and an area of bog. The authorities at the Garda college are of the view that it would be suited to accommodating an automated firearms range for the purposes of training.

The relevant facilities have not yet been put in place. If a streetscape such as that which previously existed were put in place, officers could be trained to deal with bank robberies, etc. With a little effort and a modicum of investment, the facilities to which I refer could be provided. Such a project would not have to be completed immediately and could proceed on a staged basis.

Will the Government provide the funding necessary to ensure the skills of members of the Garda Síochána remain at the required level? Will it provide the facilities to which I refer and which, sadly, are not currently available? The authorities at the college have put forward a plan in respect of this matter and the Office of Public Works has been working on this for a number of years. All that is missing is investment on the part of the Government. What would be involved would be an industrial-type development and the provision of some sheds. The terrain could be developed to allow for training in the handling of four-wheel-drive vehicles on normal land and through wooded areas. Will the Minister of State indicate when the required investment will be made in order that the Garda Síochána will retain its place as one of the finest police forces in the world? There is no question that it is one of the finest forces in Europe. I ask that the investment to which I refer be provided.

See this speech in context