Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Justice; Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received during 2009 for applications for early retirement from members of the Gardaí, broken down by rank; the way this compares with each year from 2002; the number of applications received in 2010 to date; his views of reports that a significant number of senior Gardaí are planning to take early retirement; the implications of such retirements for policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19607/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The numbers of applications received from 2002 to 2009 for retirement from the Garda Síochána are set out in the following table. The figures show that there was a significant increase in retirements in 2009. One factor in this may have been the three-year increase in the retirement age for members at the rank of garda in 2006, which had the effect of deferring some retirements until 2009. The rate of retirement has since slowed, with approximately 80 applications - a relatively low figure - for early retirement received so far this year. It must be remembered that there has been a considerable increase in Garda resources in recent years, with the number of attested gardaí rising from 11,895 at the end of 2002 and 13,755 at the end of 2007 to 14,547 at the end of 2009. The Deputies opposite will agree that there has been a substantial increase. Some 900 student gardaí became attested in 2009, which was almost double the number of gardaí who retired that year. There have been more attestations in 2010. There are over 2,000 civilian support staff in the Garda Síochána, which represents an increase of over 300 on the start of 2008.

While the moratorium on appointments and promotions applies generally to the Garda Síochána, I have continued to seek to obtain the sanction of the Minister for Finance for a number of promotions at all ranks. I recently secured agreement for the filling of 12 chief superintendent posts, 22 superintendent posts, 28 inspector posts and 120 sergeant posts. The Garda Commissioner is closely monitoring the level of Garda strength around the country, taking into account the level of retirements and recent attestations of students. I will continue to consult my colleague, the Minister for Finance, on the question of when a resumption of Garda recruitment will be necessary to keep Garda numbers at approved levels. My priority is to maintain Garda operational strength. A necessary step will be a competition to establish a panel of approved candidates. As I recently indicated, I believe this should take place later this year.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Can I ask the Minister if he or his Department anticipates that the same rate of exodus that happened in 2009 will happen again in 2010? Is the Department contemplating additional measures, such as an increase in the retirement age? Given the slowdown and stoppage in recruitment, what will Templemore be engaged with for the remainder of this calendar year? Can I ask the Minister to comment on the disquiet in the ranks of the Garda Síochána? Can he give Dáil Éireann his response to the remarkable speech at a conference of the Garda Representative Association? There must be serious disquiet throughout the ranks of the Garda Síochána to cause a speech like that to be made at a Garda conference.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have given the figures for retirements. There have been 80 retirements so far this year. If that rate continues, the annual rate for this year will be below the normal rate. We have prepared for approximately 400 retirements over the course of this year. That would be the normal level. There were approximately 700 retirements last year, when particular circumstances prevailed. The successful conclusion of the Croke Park deal is one of the issues that will be on the minds of gardaí when they think about whether to retire. It behoves political parties in this House to indicate where they stand in relation to the deal. We know where Deputy Rabbitte stands on the deal - I understand he supports it - but funnily enough, we do not know where his party leader stands. It is clear that the issue of pensions and gratuities was the main driving force behind the inordinate level of retirements last year. It is obvious that the gardaí are not that exercised by it at present. If Deputy Rabbitte supports the deal, I suggest he should tell his party leader to get off the fence, for all our sakes. It is an important matter. I do not accept the suggestion that politicians should not involve themselves in this issue. That is a cop-out.

Templemore will continue to be used to bring students through. A number of students are still going through Templemore. It is used not only to train student gardaí, but to facilitate the lifelong learning and constant retraining of gardaí. It was redeveloped at a cost of millions of euro over recent years to ensure that gardaí continue to receive retraining, as required, throughout their careers.

I accept that disquiet is expressed at all conferences of parties, representative associations and trade unions. I have my views on such conferences. I do not accept the words that were expressed. In fairness to the vast majority of Members of the Oireachtas, including Deputy Rabbitte, they do not think it is right for members of our police force, which has a special position under our Constitution, to utter the type of phrases that were used. On a personal basis, I would not countenance anyone accusing me of corruption, nor should I expect-----

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That is not the case.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Hold on.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I do not think anyone accused the Minister of corruption.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The very people who are charged with investigating corruption in our society-----

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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They may have identified someone from the Minister's party, who spent some time-----

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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They are saying the Government has been corrupted by years of power.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister have any plans to meet the GRA? I assume he does.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My door is always open.