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

The Deputy will have seen the response from the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They accept the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General. That is a very valuable constitutional office because those who are charged with spending public money must be aware that, if they mismanage the spending of that money, it will be exposed, discussed and debated in this House. I have emphasised to the Commissioner and senior management that they have to be extremely careful with moneys provided to them but the main portion of the money going into An Garda Síochána relates to pay, recruitment and numbers of persons within the force. That is money that is well spent. The technological advancements we are giving to the Garda such as body cameras, improvements to the fleet, helicopters and aircraft are all necessary for the people of Ireland to be kept safe by An Garda Síochána.

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