Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In relation to the capital plan, this is obviously extremely important and related to the Garda being able to deliver services. What is set out in this capital plan is crucial and vital in terms of An Garda Síochána being able to deliver its services across the country. Section 68(3) states that "In preparing a capital plan, the Garda Commissioner shall have regard to (a) the resources reasonably expected to be available to An Garda Síochána for the period to which the plan relates". I would welcome the Minister's thoughts on this aspect of the section.

In terms of what we have seen in recent months, extra resources are clearly needed in general. We know we need more gardaí and much work has been done by the Government to get more gardaí through the Garda College in Templemore and out onto the streets. This work has been commendable. In the context of Garda resources, Templemore was closed for a period during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a decision taken at that time in the context of extraordinary circumstances. This had an impact on the number of gardaí coming through, and this must be acknowledged as well. The numbers coming through now, though, are healthy and we are seeing a good intake-----