Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I mentioned, Senator Whelan raised the public health issue in Portlaoise which I have addressed. Senator Mooney raised Garda recruitment and the need for more gardaí. He is quite right as there certainly is a need for additional gardaí because even with the additional gardaí being provided by the Government through the reopening of Templemore, a number of gardaí have retired, others have taken leave of absence and so on, with the consequence that we are in a negative position. Therefore, there is a need for further recruitment of gardaí. However, it was bound to happen that numbers would fall. If one closes down the training facility, one will not have any gardaí and that is what-----