Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to continue to avail of extra Garda numbers arising from the new recruitment programme with a view to ensuring increased strength in Garda stations that have experienced a reduction in Garda numbers in the course of the past number of years and with particular reference to demographic requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19511/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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My question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister hopes to be able to avail of extra gardaí accruing from the new recruitment programme with particular reference to deployment to areas that have experienced an increase in crime over the past number of years and at the same time, suffered a reduction in the number of gardaí.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions, and districts. This is kept under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has taken a number of decisions relating to distribution and where the new recruits will be placed on the basis of looking at the needs of particular areas and crime trends. It is a completely objective and operational decision. For the first time since 2009, new recruits are entering the Garda College in Templemore. As part of budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in early February. This has brought to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College with a further intake later this year. In addition, I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for two further intakes of 125 Garda recruits later this year. New gardaí will be assigned by the Garda Commissioner to Garda stations throughout the country.

It is the Government's intention that there will be ongoing seamless recruitment to the force because it is essential. However, it is not just a question of Garda numbers. The Government is also committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has appropriate technical and other resources. The Deputy will be aware that for the first time, I have initiated a review of the ICT needs of An Garda Síochána. A committee is close to producing its final report on identifying the ICT needs of An Garda Síochána. This will also lead to a more efficient and effective force. We are committed to meeting the ICT requirements of An Garda Síochána. This is the first comprehensive examination. We expect to have a plan in place that will identify needs in the short, medium and longer term.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. What is the extent to which the particular-----

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I apologise for interrupting Deputy Durkan. Could we have some order in the House?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what extent will the areas that have suffered a sharp increase in crime, sometimes of a violent nature, in recent times receive particular attention in the deployment of extra gardaí? I also wish to ask about the extent to which comparisons relating to best policing practice in other jurisdictions might be made with a view to achieving the best possible means of attacking criminal elements.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Time has now expired for this-----

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I must object in the strongest terms. This session did not start until 2.03 p.m. and there are three minutes still remaining in this session under my clock because the quota from the Government side was not here. I have been waiting patiently for this question and I will adhere to the three minutes.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I respect the Deputy's point of view, however, the time is 3.15 p.m. The Deputy may be of the view that-----

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Please do not interrupt me.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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It is a point of order. There is a question here.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is not a point of order. The Deputy has made his point. The time has expired. Perhaps he would consider submitting a matter under Topical Issues. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will consider it. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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This session did not start until 2.03 p.m. We are sitting here with questions we cannot put.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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If the Deputy wishes to submit his name for the role of Acting Chairman, I suggest he submits it to the Ceann Comhairle. In the interim, I am Acting Chairman of the Dáil and I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Can the Acting Chairman clarify a point of order?

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Deputy to resume his seat. He is out of order and he is wrong.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I will not take my seat because this session was delayed by three minutes. The Acting Chairman is rewarding the Government for not getting its numbers here and denying the Opposition its chance to ask questions. It is outrageous. My point of order continues while the Ceann Comhairle is in the Chair. The Ceann Comhairle is normally very reasonable.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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The Ceann Comhairle is normally very reasonable when it comes to the issue of time. If a session is late in starting, he allows the Opposition to have its full period for questions. One question is being denied here because the session was late in starting due to the Government quorum. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to adjudicate on this issue and allow it. I am only asking for two minutes. We have already lost a minute because of this protest.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have a time-scale for matters like Topical Issues and Leaders' Questions. The time of 3.15 p.m.-----

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Can I ask the Ceann Comhairle a question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot really ask a question-----

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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If there was a delay of ten or 15 minutes, that means-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It was not ten or 15 minutes because I started the session. It was about two minutes late.