Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the good lady at her wonderful age and the Cathaoirleach's own sister.

This is an important motion. As we know, crime no longer has borders. With the development of technology and elaborate webs of communication, criminals now operate in multiple jurisdictions across the world. I welcome the motion. It is appropriate that we participate in this process. That there has been a lapse is a pity but, to be fair, we are still in the early stages of a new Government that took a protracted period to be put together. I do not doubt that, once we re-engage with the process, we will do so fully and bring the Garda's wonderful skills to the fore, particularly in mediation, diplomacy and so forth. Our specialist gardaí will benefit significantly from the exchange of knowledge and the development of an international skill base that will equip them in what is a new world order. Consider what we have seen in the past week alone in terms of terrorist attacks.There is an absolute need for as many resources as possible to be provided for CEPOL which has to work. International knowledge needs to be developed to deal with and profile crime and the people involved in it. I have no doubt that this approach will be a success, but it will not succeed without the active engagement of all countries and policing authorities. Equally, it will not succeed unless the proper financial resources are made available.

I am delighted that the Garda College in Templemore reopened approximately three years ago. I would like to think it will never close again. Similarly, I hope our involvement in CEPOL will never cease. I suggest not only that we become active participants in all of its programmes, but also that we become leaders. We have the capability and the human resources within the structures of the police force to ensure tis can happen. Given that An Garda Síochána is primarily unarmed, it has achieved remarkable success. We all like to see crime figures going down. We all regret it when they are going up. When one examines the figures in an international context, however, it is clear that An Garda Síochána, as a primarily unarmed security force, does a wonderful job.

I would like the Minister of State to comment on British involvement in CEPOL in the light of the new narrative emerging in Britain's relationship with the European Union. How does this new dynamic affect CEPOL? It is extremely important, particularly from an Irish perspective, for England to have an absolute unity of purpose, engagement and involvement in this project. I would be worried if it were to be affected in any way by the upcoming Brexit negotiations. I am not sure of the extent to which Britain is involved in CEPOL. Perhaps the Minister of State might enlighten me in that regard.

Education and upskilling happen in many sectors. Members of An Garda Síochána who have been in the force for a number of years should have an opportunity to benefit from upskilling opportunities. I encourage the Garda Commissioner to look at increasing the number of upskilling programmes. We all know from the justice committee and other forums that the Garda's ICT facilities are not fit for purpose. The Minister of State might tell us at some stage how the roll-out of the advanced ICT programme within the Garda - I cannot remember its name - is progressing. I would not expect him to have that information to hand. While the PULSE system was absolutely groundbreaking at the time of its inception, it is probably not fit for purpose now.