Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Garda Inspectorate report on changing policing policy in Ireland published just before Christmas pointed out that despite receiving considerable training, reservists are not consistently or strategically used for operational purposes. I welcome the Minister's comments that attempts are being made to improve this. Recruiting reservists locally would be a good initiative and would make the reservists more focused on their area. Recruitment is key. The number in our division is not satisfactory. I respect the Minister's remark that it is outside her brief but I would like her to highlight the drop in the number. A 38% drop over the period in time is significant. I thank the Minister for her comments. She gave a very good briefing to Deputy Eugene Murphy earlier on what she will do.

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