Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, in co-operation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, of the resumption of recruitment of gardaí in Templemore, County Tipperary. This will be good for the force and for the local economy in Tipperary. It also is a positive sign that life is returning to normal in this country. Every organisation needs new recruits to replace retiring staff and to bring in fresh blood. Earlier this year, the Garda Commissioner stated that the force should not drop below 13,000, and I think this has been acknowledged by the actions yesterday of the two Ministers. Can the Leader inquire from the Minister for Justice and Equality when the training will start, how many recruits will be taken on board initially, and whether this will be ongoing training? In other words, will the training centre in Templemore remain open after the first batch of trainees come in?

I support Senator Cullinane's comments about the Waterford Crystal workers. Many of them are from my own town of Carrick-on-Suir. However, it is not true to say that both Ministers refused to meet them. They explained in correspondence that they were unable to meet them, in view of the fact that the matter was now going into the courts here in Ireland and could prejudice the outcome of that court case. That is the reason they did not meet the workers. I will be there tomorrow to support them in any way I can, and I know the Leader, who is from Waterford city, will also do the same.