Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 April 2005

2:30 pm

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Garda recruits are required to pay €400 for their uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda that Deputy Gormley is wrong in this matter. Student gardaí are not required to pay for their uniforms. However, a notice is sent to students instructing them to bring a formal suit, two pairs of black regulation shoes of solid leather construction of a plain type, a track suit, two gym singlets, two pairs of shorts, gym shoes, a gym kit bag, four pairs of white gym socks, a swimsuit or swimming trunks of a navy colour, one pair of flip-flops, a duvet quilt, a pillow and various other items. Most of these items are available from the academy in Templemore and students are required to pay a cost of €400 for items three to ten. This may be the source of the Deputy's misinformation.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To be kitted out.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is not the case the students pay for their uniforms. These are accoutrements and a part of the training process for which most students in any third level institution would be asked to pay.

Photo of Ciarán CuffeCiarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I am delighted that the recruits are so well kitted. It shames some of us to hear of the contents of their own kitbags. It is my understanding that it is a requirement to pay a sum of money for the uniform but that it remains the property of the Garda Síochána at all times. Will the Minister clarify whether the items he has mentioned or the uniform remain the property of the Garda Síochána or himself?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not in a position to say whether I own Garda uniforms or whether the individual members do, but I have a feeling I do. I do not know the answer to that question and I will not mislead the Deputy. What the Deputy and I would generally refer to as "Garda uniform", that is, tunics, caps, trousers, skirts and so on, is not required to be paid for by individual members of the Garda Síochána.

Photo of Ciarán CuffeCiarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I am delighted to hear that. I compliment the Minister on his decision to grant leave to remain to 3,000 individuals. I applaud him on what I consider a humane decision in that instance.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It is not often we get the opportunity to discuss the uniform of the Garda Síochána but as it has been mentioned I wish to ask the Minister how long it has been since the uniform was redesigned. Is there any question of a redesign at present? Is it an issue that is looked at generally from the point of view of comfort, efficiency and so on, particularly bearing in mind the large number of women gardaí?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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We will not be gender discriminatory in regard to this issue. There has been an ongoing redesign of the Garda uniform. Since I have been appointed Minister, zip-up jackets have been supplied as part of the uniform to individual members and various aspects of Garda equipment have been redesigned and modernised. It is not the case that it has been left in some frozen condition for a long time. There have been a number of changes in recent years, some of which have been modelled in public and referred to in the media.

The trend has been towards more comfortable but reasonably impressive looking attire suitable for modern use. It is difficult to remember back to the old, stiff collared tunics and so on, with which I grew up. Getting in and out of cars with such a uniform was, undoubtedly, a difficulty. The modern uniform available to members of the Garda Síochána is designed by a process which involves consultation with the affected ranks.