Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The key point I make with regard to the issues raised by the Deputies is that clearly the economic situation we inherited had an impact in that gardaí were not recruited. This is the bottom line. The situations outlined by the Deputies were a direct result of the economic situation in which the country found itself. Due to the actions of the Government we are in a far better economic situation at present, although we have more work to do. This has allowed the Government to take the decision to begin recruitment again, which will be the first recruitment since 2009. I emphasise this. We have already recruited 200 extra gardaí and another 100 will start in Templemore. The situation will be kept under review, depending on the number of Garda retirements and the needs of An Garda Síochána.

I could speak about different areas, and Deputies will be particularly sensitive to the situation in their own area, but the overall situation is being improved by the recruitment of new gardaí. This means the Garda Commissioner can take the types of operational decision that Deputies Durkan and Lawlor from County Kildare have highlighted, which also relates to the point made by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. The best operational decisions can be taken by the Garda Commissioner if she has more resources at her disposal.

I have already stated that we are examining the IT requirements of the Garda. We want to see more efficient deployment of the resources we have. I have the support of the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to examine the technological needs of An Garda Síochána, which have been outlined by the Garda Inspectorate. All of these actions are designed to ensure we have more effective policing in every county in Ireland and that citizens are protected in a more comprehensive way. This is the goal of the Government and it is what we are working towards. The combination of initiatives we are taking on the recruitment of gardaí, the changes to IT and implementing the Garda Inspectorate report will ensure a better and more efficient service locally and that crime will be detected and citizens kept safe. This is the goal of the Government and it will be the result of the actions we are taking.

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