Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We should welcome the fact that the previous Government reopened Templemore college and the current Government has continued the process of recruiting officers. The Senator may recall that a Fianna Fáil-led Government closed the training college and placed an embargo on recruitment. However, it is important to have gardaí on the beat and it is equally critical that the operations of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Garda be separated.

I am happy to accept Senator Swanick's amendment.