Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it was premature to embark upon a recruitment drive for the proposed Garda Síochána Reserve in view of the ongoing refusal of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association to co-operate with the reserve; the way in which the Reserve Force will be introduced in the absence of cooperation from rank and file members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30708/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Oireachtas provided for the establishment of the Garda Reserve in section 15 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, and on foot of proposals received from the Garda Commissioner I drafted regulations governing the recruitment, training and deployment of Reserve Gardaí. All of the Garda representative bodies were invited to engage in constructive discussion of those draft regulations. The regulations were approved by Government in July and recruitment for the Reserve commenced in August.

Both the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association, while advising their members to comply with any orders regarding implementation of the Reserve, have declared their continued opposition to the Reserve. This is a clear contravention of the terms of the new social partnership agreement Towards 2016, which requires "co-operation with the implementation of policies, initiatives and reforms following Government decisions or the enactment of legislation (primary, secondary or EU)." A continued unwillingness on the part of the two associations to accept this fundamental principle of Towards 2016 will prevent the application of that agreement, including its provisions on pay increases, to their members.

I should say that, notwithstanding the position of both associations, members of all ranks have co-operated with the recruitment, interviewing, security vetting, equipping and training of applicants for the Reserve, and the first group of 37 Reserve Trainees was welcomed to the Garda College in Templemore last Saturday to commence training.

Finally recent remarks attributed to the General Secretary of the GRA to the effect that members of the Garda Reserve would be "hated and despised" represents, on the face of it, a deplorable attitude for a Garda towards his fellow citizens, the Oireachtas and the democratically expressed will of the people as contained in the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I have therefore asked the Garda Commissioner to investigate this reported remark and to furnish an early report to me on the matter.