Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the establishment of the Garda Reserve Force; when he expects the first recruits to the Reserve to begin training; if a final decision has been made on the numbers to be recruited; the progress he has made in his discussions with the representative associations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22131/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In July 2005, as part of a submission on the future resourcing requirements of the Garda Síochána, the Garda Commissioner proposed the recruitment of up to 4,000 reserve members as provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In response, and in the context of identifying policing priorities for inclusion in the Garda policing plan for 2006, I set the objective of the recruitment of 900 reserve members by September 2006. Subsequently, the Commissioner submitted detailed proposals to me on the recruitment, training, powers, duties and deployment of reserve members. The proposals envisage a thoroughly trained Reserve with carefully selected powers and duties, working under the supervision of members of the Garda Síochána.

Draft regulations have been prepared under the 2005 Act to give effect to these proposals. I have already met all four Garda Representative Associations on this issue and have referred the draft regulations to the Garda Síochána Conciliation Council for detailed consultations with the Garda Associations. The Chief Superintendents' Association and the Superintendents' Association have already engaged positively in consultation on the draft regulations and I want to commend them for their positive attitude. I very much hope that the two other Associations will do likewise. I have made clear that I am genuinely open to any practical constructive proposals on issues such as the numbers, recruitment, training, powers, duties or deployment of reserve members. I have asked the Associations, for their part, to undertake to respect the clear will of the Oireachtas in this matter and to engage positively as the representatives of their senior officers have done in those consultations.

The draft regulations have also been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for its consideration. The recruitment campaign for reserve members will commence as soon as the regulations are made.

I am concerned that the Garda Reserve will reinforce the links between the Garda Síochána and local communities, and that it will enhance the capacity of the Force to respond to emerging policing challenges. I have seen for myself how well special constabularies, which are broadly equivalent to the Reserve, work in Britain, and how good and effective are the relations between them and the regular police forces. This is a great opportunity to enhance the policing service in our country, and I urge the Garda Associations to seize the opportunity now to make their contribution to its development.