Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think we all agree that the Garda Reserve is a very valuable resource and we should be using it more. One of the concerns that I have, as do many other Members of the House, is that the numbers of the reserve are supposed to be in the region of 450. Yet, this time last year, we only had 200 members working within the reserve. The Minister of State identified correctly the first priority in order to maximize the use of the reserve, which is recruitment.

We have a problem recruiting persons to An Garda Síochána. The issue in respect of the Garda Reserve is probably as problematic. We are not going to be able to recruit people if we do not start a recruitment campaign. The Minister of State referred to the strategy prepared by the Garda Commissioner. Its first strategic objective is to recruit reservists to the Garda. I am concerned that, unless we keep political pressure on the Garda Commissioner and on An Garda Síochána in general, we will not see the recruitment campaigns we all believe are necessary to get more people in. What can the Government do to ensure the recruitment campaign is effective?

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