Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response but some of it reflects what was said in the Dáil in 2011. The updated part of his response refers to the report of the review on training and development in the Garda Síochána. I am not sure when the report was published. I am glad to hear that a working group was established, following publication, to examine the entry requirements and amend, if necessary, the regulations. Given that the regulations also set the minimum age limit I hope that, at the very least, some consideration will be given in the working out of changes to the regulations to increase the minimum age. I ask the Minister to State to convey my following comment to the Minister. One might anticipate that the working group would examine the minimum age in the course of generally examining the recommended changes to the regulations. It would be a good opportunity to do so and would be in keeping with the Minister's previous response that consideration was being given to the circumstances where an increase in the age limit could be affected.