Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I agree with Senator Jim Walsh that it is desirable that gardaí live in the communities they police. I cannot, however, force any garda to do that. I cannot force a garda policing Donnybrook to live in Donnybrook, or one policing Ringsend to live in Ringsend. I can, however, encourage reservists to enlist so that there are members of the broader force in every community. For the information of Senator White, people who reach the age of 57 or who retire a few years earlier should be entitled to become reservists so their experience is not thrown away and their links with the force are maintained. It is a practical solution.