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

We must ensure the roles are properly outlined and consistent. In recent years, the Garda Commissioner has conferred further powers on members of the Garda Reserve under the Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act 1961. She also decided they should carry out more duties, including serving summonses and issuing fixed charge penalty notices where offences are detected. In my experience of meeting reservists, they are very enthusiastic and interested. Some want to go on to be members of An Garda Síochána and others do it because they want to make a contribution to the community. They are particularly interested in being members of the Reserve but not full-time members of An Garda Síochána. There is much potential for voluntary action by people interested in policing. With the new recruitment, the audit being done and an examination of the training that is best, we will see the progress Deputy Cahill and his colleagues have outlined they would like to see.

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