Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What is the position on item No. 13 on the Order Paper, Civil Registration (Marriage Equality) Bill 2013, which was published in great haste during the Meath East by-election? Will the Deputy Leader inform the House when she will introduce the Bill in her name?

I request a full debate next week on policing and Garda recruitment. Yesterday the Minister for Justice and Equality who is not happy that he is the most unpopular justice Minister who has ever served the country and has lost the confidence of An Garda Síochána - when we tabled a motion of no confidence in him more than one month ago, he did not bother to turn up to take it - stated to the Association of Garda Superintendents and Inspectors that he would delay the arrival of new recruits in Templemore effectively because the Croke Park ll agreement had been voted down. As we all know, there are no gardaí in training in Templemore. From the time new recruits enter the Garda Training College there is a two year training cycle before they pass out and become full members of the force. The Minister is, in effect, continuing to bully An Garda Síochána, the members of which are not just concerned about pay and conditions but also that they are not being given the resources they need to carry out their jobs. I have given specific instances of the lack of Garda resources, vehicles and new recruits. What does our esteemed Minister do? In a fit of pique following the failure of members of An Garda Síochána to vote in the manner he wanted them to do, he states he will not recruit. We need him to come to the House to answer questions on how he will rescue the situation, as members of the force have voted no confidence in him. Not only are the members of An Garda Síochána suffering, so too is the general public. Does the Government have plans to restart recruitment of new members to the force?

Was it a Government decision, supported by the Labour Party, that new gardaí will not be recruited? Is this a Cabinet decision or is it the Minister, Deputy Shatter, on another solo run?