Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with colleagues that it is important for all of us to stress how grateful we are to An Garda Síochána for the work it does, not least throughout Covid. I do not think there was a day off for anybody and Garda members stood up where they were asked and went above and beyond their duties. On my behalf, I thank them for that.

I fully agree with all the Senators that the more visibility there is, the safer people will feel and will actually be. About 250 new recruits have come out of Templemore in two attestations in recent months, while a further group will come out in the next week or two. Moreover, the Commissioner has given a commitment that from September, 200 recruits will begin training in Templemore every 12 weeks, which is a very welcome development. The introduction of the new operating model is key in ensuring those gardaí who should be on front-line duty and on the beat are where they are. The phased introduction of civilian staff to do background and office work, which is often done by gardaí who should be out and about, will, over the coming months and years, help ensure we have greater visibility on the ground. I acknowledge the specific areas the Senators mentioned and agree it is important more gardaí be deployed to those counties as well.