Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé chun labhairt i mBéarla mura miste leis an Teachta. I note the amendment proposed by the Deputy but I stress that all assignments of Garda resources are made within the operational capacity of the Garda Síochána and, especially, the Garda Commissioner. There is a requirement for the Commissioner to ensure, and the language used is "to the extent practicable", that gardaí stationed in Gaeltacht areas are proficient in Irish. The amendment would remove the words and require that to be an absolute. I do not think the language is there to create a roadblock or have an escape route for anybody, but I have a concern that it would act as a constraint on the Commissioner and his ability to direct and control An Garda Síochána and to assign appropriate gardaí with the skills or training needed depending on the issues involved and resources needed.

All gardaí are required to demonstrate some competency in Irish as part of their training programme, and this carries through in the performance of their duties. However, the assignment of resources to different areas is an operational matter, primarily for the Commissioner, and is subject to policing requirements, such as the type of issues in the area and the skill and expertise required. There might not be in the relevant moment somebody in the force proficient in the Irish language, available and able to go and deal with those issues.

There is a requirement to have two languages. The Deputy may come up against an issue whereby insisting that somebody must have Irish as one of those languages potentially creates a disadvantage for someone not born in Ireland who does not have Irish and may have various difficulties in that regard.

I understand these concerns have been raised with the Commissioner. The Deputy mentioned that. He has responded and addressed the joint committee on the Irish language earlier this year about it. He is very much aware of this and has given assurances he is trying to address the issue. Saying anything more would be to stray into an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner. The language is not there to create a get out of jail clause but to be practical in terms of the number of members in An Garda Síochána who are sufficiently proficient to deal with the issues involved.

I will not accept the amendment. I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from but the Garda Commissioner and the gardaí are best placed to deal with the issue in the first instance.

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