Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, we welcome the further investment of €55 million in respect of targeting and dealing with organised crime. The question I am seeking to address is the issue of pay for new recruits in An Garda Síochána. The Tánaiste will recall that the agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael contained an agreement to establish a public service pay commission. The agreement also contained a recognition that the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts would be gradually and by negotiation repealed.

Obviously, the Tánaiste cannot determine when the public sector pay commission will commence, but has she had discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform? Has he given her an indication as to when that commission will be up and running? Without it, we will have great difficulty in recruiting the 2,000 or so extra gardaí we require.

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