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

The deployment of operational resources the Garda Commissioner has is an operational issue. Members of the Garda Síochána are getting on with the work. I have been struck by comments from colleagues in the House and members of the public about their appreciation of work in local cases and high-profile cases. People have been impressed with the commitment of members of the Garda Síochána, the level of criminal investigation and quality of work. Deputy Mac Lochlainn spoke earlier about how methods developed and there have been huge improvements made in standards. That is very obvious in terms of the Molloy report, which I published this week. Today's standards of investigation are quite different.

Response times are improving and greater recruitment will give greater flexibility. The point of the extra recruitment is flexibility to deploy people as they are needed in local communities. Opening up recruitment and having 550 new gardaí to deal with the issues described is a significant step to have taken this year.

See this speech in context