Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)

I second the motion. I warmly welcome the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Chamber. He has been severely criticised by Opposition Members on the issue of Garda strength over the past two years. I am, therefore, delighted that I and my colleagues in the Progressive Democrats can use Private Members' time to commend the Minister and the Government on meeting their key commitment to increase Garda strength to 14,000. When he took office in 2002 the Minister made the overhaul and expansion of the Garda a key priority. He is delivering on both. The recently published Garda Bill, which proposed the first root and branch reform of the force since it was established more than 80 years ago, together with the additional 2,000 gardaí will ensure Ireland has a modern, capable, committed and well resourced police force to meet the needs of its citizens.

The Progressive Democrats' general election manifesto for 2002 committed the party to increase Garda strength by 2,000 members. That commitment was then incorporated into the agreed programme for Government between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats to be achieved over the lifetime of the Government and that will happen. Plans were initially put on hold in 2002 due to the cap on public service spending. Economic conditions at the time did not permit the necessary expenditure, which was estimated at €330 million, and the Government took the brave and prudent decision to wait until the upturn in the country's economic fortunes to advance the plan. That time has arrived and the Government commitment will be met.

Members of other parties have jumped around on occasion over the past two years adopting the mantra of 2,000 extra gardaí like a cheap football chant. The same Opposition politicians, when in power, allowed the strength of the force to progressively reduce from 10,882 in December 1993 to 10,827 in December 1994, 10,816 in December 1995 and 10,804 in December 1996. These are the same politicians who try to make political capital from Garda numbers at every opportunity. At a press conference held by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform last week in the Phoenix Park, the cant was well and truly silenced when he outlined his ambitious plans to swell Garda ranks by over 1,000 recruits per annum.

The ability of the Garda to operate effectively impacts on every community. As the number of personnel available is key to the operational ability of the Garda, the force must operate at maximum strength. Currently, Garda strength stands at a record high of over 12,117 men and women. At the end of this month, the figure will rise to 12,200. Key to public confidence in the Garda is visibility. A community has greater trust and support in the local force if it sees gardaí on the beat regularly and responding quickly to emergencies. Increased numbers will take some of the enormous pressure off existing members, allow for a greater presence of gardaí on our streets and help to boost public confidence in the ability of the Garda to fight crime at all levels.

The detractors have already begun to knock the Minister's plans and have stated that his goals are not achievable. As always, the Minister is set to defy his critics and achieve his goals through a set of original, innovative and ambitious proposals. The Minister is overseeing a change in the recruitment and training process which will allow for an additional 2,000 members to be recruited and trained without any diminution of standards. The proposal to move in-service training from the Garda College to allow it to concentrate on the training of new recruits is simple and sensible and represents a more efficient use of State resources. There is no need for current members embarking on in-service training to be at Templemore. They can easily be accommodated at a different location. The Minister is working productively with his party colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Parlon, to source alternative accommodation for in-service training and extend the existing facilities at Templemore.

I welcome the Minister's intention to remove the Irish language requirement and his commitment to recruit new members from diverse ethnic backgrounds. We live in a pluralist, multi-cultural society which our police force must reflect adequately to have the confidence of all citizens. I welcome the Minister's commitment to consider the age requirement with a view to raising it. Policing is a difficult task which requires a clear head, composure and the ability to carry out duties effectively. Having been married to a member of the force for more than 30 years, I have some knowledge of how the Garda functions and suggest that more mature candidates may have a great deal to offer.

Increasing the strength of the Garda to 14,000 should not be seen as a quick fix or an easy solution to wiping out crime. It will not matter if we increase numbers to 20,000 or even 40,000 if gardaí do not have the full support of the community. If each citizen fails to play his or her part, we will continue to have crime. Some think there should be a garda in every back yard but that is neither possible nor practical. Such an approach would not be necessary if people played their parts, parents exercised greater control over their children and more people adopted the spirit of the volunteer and gave time to community groups or work with young people. These are issues I have spoken about in this House previously and to which I will continue to return.

I congratulate the Minister on his proposals and wish him every success in implementing them. I assure him of the wholehearted support of the Progressive Democrat Members of the Seanad.