Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of Garda recruitment, as did Senator Conway. I am unsure of the figures, but it may be 150 in the first tranche, a further 150 within three months and so on. I indicated a month ago that we would have news before Christmas, which has turned out to be the situation. I will take on board the matter of reserve gardaí. They have experience, but I cannot say whether they will have first choice. Since an independent process must be gone through, the Minister will not involve himself with it. I am sure that the experience of reserve gardaí will be taken into consideration in the recruitment process.

I understand that the pyrite Bill will be before the Cabinet next week. I hope that it will be published by Christmas so that we might discuss it early in the new session.