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

Quite a number of people make recommendations about bringing back retired gardaí, for example. It is not possible to bring back retired gardaí to do the job of current members of An Garda Síochána, but the Commissioner is examining whether there are ways in which the skill and experience gardaí have built up over the years, as the Deputy rightly described, might be used in a range of areas. That is very important if it is feasible. Extending the retirement age would have implications across the public sector. In that context, it would be a decision for the whole Government, particularly the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to consider.

What we are doing now is accelerating the recruitment. That is the important issue. We also have to work on the increasing civilianisation of An Garda Síochána. That is very important as well. In that regard, advertisements were placed in the newspaper just two weeks ago for more staff so that we can continue the civilianisation in Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. That will free up some gardaí to do other important duties.

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