Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the guidance. Deputy Fitzpatrick raised a number of non-Covid-19 related matters, on which I am happy to give him an early reply, with particular reference to the armed support unit and Garda stations and resources in the Louth area.

On Covid, Deputy Kenny raised the matter of PPE being deployed to Garda members. This is a matter of importance. I reject Deputy Kenny's remarks about the lack of PPE for Garda members. I will give the House a sense of the volume. Approximately 2 million pairs of disposable gloves, more than 200,000 face masks and 50,000 l of hand sanitiser in refillable plastic bottles have been distributed. The types of PPE supplies are administered by gardaí on a regular basis. Garda divisions and specialist units are provided with PPE weekly from central stores. These are distributed to each Garda station to ensure that the Garda has adequate supplies to meet operational requirements. That is of great importance.

On the matter that Deputy Fitzpatrick has raised in respect of recent senior appointments in An Garda Síochána, the competition for the appointments was conducted by the Policing Authority in accordance with legislation. I welcome the appointments. The Government had a role in the ultimate appointments in accordance with the Garda legislation. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I would not be privy to the personalities involved in the interview process or those who applied or did not apply but I would say to Deputy Fitzpatrick that the process was entirely in accordance with the legislation as passed by this House.

On the matter of domestic violence and domestic abuse, I want to acknowledge what Deputy Fitzpatrick has said. I agree with him. This is a matter of concern and I repeat what I said earlier in respect of observations made by Deputy Murnane O'Connor that the Garda is very much treating this issue as a priority. The courts are available and open. Access to family law centres-----

See this speech in context