Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I provided figures and I will repeat that the number of gardaí who have been trained to CBD level 2 currently stands at 2,700. This figure does not include gardaí who were trained to an equivalent level prior to the introduction of the competency based framework.

I take issue with the attempt to draw a distinction between gardaí on the front line and other gardaí. It is indicative of a fundamental misunderstanding of what amounts to the nature of modern policing. A member of An Garda Síochána whose duties focus, for example, on liaising with victims of crime or the forensic examination of crime scenes is very much on the front line of policing. It is not necessary for all gardaí to be equipped with specialist driving skills, whether they are in cars or otherwise.

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