Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What the Minister said is simply not factually correct. Garda trainees are going into Templemore who have not been vetted to the standard required. That is the bottom line. This was done last November.

The Minister is also failing to acknowledge the fact that unattested trainees are often training under supervision but are not fully vetted. The Minister knows that as part of their course they are out during certain phases and are not fully vetted. Trainee gardaí who are not fully vetted are out on patrol throughout the country. That is a fact. The Minister cannot deny that in the House. Gardaí of various ranks all over the country are disgusted at this and believe it is totally wrong.

The Department also fails to acknowledge this. Trainee gardaí are coming in who are not fully vetted and, in the end, they are told they cannot become gardaí. How much is that costing the State? The Department cannot answer that question, which I have asked. It is not able to answer how much it costs to train a garda in this country. If that is all accumulated, it is obviously a loss to the taxpayer. These people have access to a lot of information, training, uniforms, guns and arms. Many of them are very fine people, and I represent the constituency that includes Templemore, but they need to be fully vetted. If people need be fully vetted for Tusla, the HEA, education and everything in healthcare, they surely, in the name of God, need to be fully vetted for An Garda Síochána before they enter Templemore.

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