James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria which will be used to measure the physical, mental and psychological suitability of candidates who apply to join the proposed Garda Reserve Force; if they will be required to undergo medical examinations and an aptitude test similar to full members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17165/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 368 together.

I wish to refer the Deputies to my replies to the recent Parliamentary Questions No. 3 and No. 5 of 27 April, 2006 and also to my Press Release of 20 February, 2006 which comprehensively addresses the issues referred to by the Deputies concerning the Garda Commissioner's proposals for the Garda Reserve. The Deputies will recall that I included this Press Release with a letter that I issued to all Deputies in February, 2006.

In relation to the claims regarding the Special Constabulary in the UK which are made in the correspondence referred to in Deputy Wall's question, the Deputy will be aware that I attended the National Conference of the Special Constabulary of England and Wales which was held on the weekend 31 March to 2 April. I was invited to attend the Conference by Mr. Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of the Cheshire Constabulary, who also holds national responsibility for the promotion and development of the Special Constabulary in England and Wales.

I was very glad to have the opportunity to hear at first hand the many ongoing successes and positive experiences of special constabularies in England and Wales and to learn of their excellent relationships with the regular police forces and communities there, and I have been very open in explaining what I observed.

Prior to my visit to Chester, officials of my Department and senior members of Garda management had visited the Home Office, the London Metropolitan Police and the Greater Manchester Police to research how the special constabulary operates in England and Wales, as part of the preparatory work for the formulation of proposals for the establishment of a Garda Reserve.

These visits greatly illustrated the importance and value placed in the Special Constabulary by the British Government, police forces and the general public alike.