Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise two matters on the Order of Business. The first relates to the Garda Reserve. It seems to me that despite raising this issue on a number of occasions in this House, we have not had a debate on it and we have had no sign of any interest in staging such a debate. The Garda Reserve has dwindled down to practically nothing due to deliberate neglect. Likewise, we discovered the other day in this House that membership of Civil Defence had decreased from 4,500 to less than 2,500 in the last five to seven years. The Leader will understand that I do not know the exact figures for what used to be An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, FCA, but I presume that volunteer reservists are being treated in a similar offhand way by the Department of Defence. The Government really has no interest in volunteerism of any kind. It is a sad fact that those particular services, which bring out the best in people, are simply cast to one side. Particularly in the Garda Reserve, people are belittled, marginalised and made to feel unwanted. I am saying now that the time has come. A strategy for the Garda Reserve was published a number of years ago but recruitment has not even started yet. I am calling now, and will call every week in this House, for the Minister for Justice and An Garda Síochána to commence a recruitment campaign to bring the Garda Reserve not merely back to a level of 1,200 but towards 2,000 in order that there are roots in every community, rural and urban, where there is a connection between the people and their police force.

The second issue I want to raise is the question of Rathmines Town Hall, which may seem a very local issue. I noticed a statement in today's newspapers that Dublin City Council is looking for venues for musical events.There is an auditorium in the heart of Rathmines. In the past, with very liberal fire regulation, it used to accommodate 2,000 people on occasion. It could easily accommodate 500 or 600 people at any gig, concert or performance today. However, it is mouldering away. It is like a small version of the National Concert Hall, with prefabricated classrooms built in a horrific way on the grounds. I have asked the Minister, Deputy Harris, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, Dublin City Council and all the local representatives in the area to do something to bring this very valuable cultural amenity back into operation. The people of Dublin deserve to have Rathmines Town Hall properly restored.