Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. While Covid got in the way of many of the operational aspects of reform, in many ways it also showed potential positives for an Garda Síochána, not just with on-the-beat policing but also with smart policing. We will hopefully have 15,000 gardaí in due course. Leading up to the budget discussion, will the Minister ensure those gardaí will have the necessary equipment and supports to carry out the role? I am thinking not just of the obvious such as cars and stab vests but also ICT equipment and modern technology because the face of crime is changing ever so rapidly.

One issue I was asked to bring to the Minister by serving members of An Garda Síochána, and I have no doubt she will have heard the same when she addressed the Garda Representative Association conference, is the ongoing debate about rostering. I appreciate the Minister has no role in this but it behoves me to let her know there is a mood and a desire within the organisation to ensure the best, most opportune rostering system is used.

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