Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for tabling this important Commencement matter. I know the reason she is raising this is, like virtually every other Member of the Oireachtas, she wants to see more members of An Garda Síochána on the streets in their constituencies. I want to see that happen as well. We are in a very fortunate position in this country where most of the public and virtually all Members of the Oireachtas want to see more members of An Garda Síochána in their communities. The reason they want that is to ensure that there is a sense of safety around. It gives people a great sense of confidence if they see members of An Garda Síochána in the area.

The Senator mentioned an important point. She does not want to see members of An Garda Síochána doing work that could be done by other persons; whether it is civilian members of An Garda Síochána or by private security firms, as she identified is happening in Dublin. The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is something that I want to see implemented. I have included a provision in the general scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which I published two week ago, that seeks to ensure that we have more remote hearings for criminal charges, particularly remand hearings.I hope that will result in fewer members of An Garda Síochána having to turn up in court, whether it is Limerick courthouse in Mulgrave Street or any other courthouse around the country. I note the Senator mentioned there being 16 members of An Garda Síochána in the courthouse. That gives me some cause for concern. I had been informed that the number of full-time members of the Garda allocated was ten. However, whether it is ten or 16, that is far too many.

I do not direct operational matters from the point of view of An Garda Síochána. It is not appropriate for a Minister for Justice to say, "I want to see the garda overin a different part of Limerick," I leave that to the Commissioner and the chief superintendents in Limerick. However, it is important that I try, as the Minister for Justice, to ensure we are putting in place principles that will provide guidance to An Garda Síochána. I would like to see private security firms doing the type of security work that the Senator Ryan says is being done by members of An Garda Síochána in Limerick but, similarly, we need to change the law to ensure that there is an awareness on the part of the Judiciary that we should not have members of An Garda Síochána present in courtrooms when it is not necessary for them to be there. If we can do those hearings remotely, that should be done. However, it may be the case that there is occasion when the Garda authorities require there to be gardaí in a courthouse. One of the things that An Garda Síochána do is provide a jury minding service. That is something we should take away from An Garda Síochána as well. In civil actions in Dublin there is a Courts Service official who is a jury minder. We need to try to introduce that into all criminal courts as well. However, it is also important that we ensure there is sufficient security within the courts. If gardaí are in courts, it should be for the purpose of giving evidence where it is essential for them to give that evidence. Alternatively, it may be the case that the Garda authorities believe there is a specific security threat and they are required in the court because of that.

As the Senator Ryan, I will be in Limerick next Monday. When I get the opportunity to meet members of An Garda Síochána there and commend them on the excellent work they do, I will certainly raise this issue and asking whether it could be resolved through ensuring that we did not have as many members of An Garda Síochána at Mulgrave Street courthouse.

Ultimately it is a matter for An Garda Síochána but I have listened very carefully to what the Senator has had to say and it is part of my policy agenda to ensure we get gardaí out onto the streets where the public want to see them.