Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who applied for the Garda Reserve in County Galway; the number of successful applicants; if unsuccessful applicants were informed of the reasons they were unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31550/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Competitions for entry to An Garda Síochána are administered by the Public Appointments Service. I am advised by the Public Appointments Service that on 19 September 2006 there had been 343 applications to become members of the Garda Reserve from people living in County Galway.

It is the responsibility of the Public Appointments Service to advise applicants of the result of the interview process. An Garda Síochána is currently processing the application files of the applicants who were successful at interview.

The first group was called to begin training for the Garda Reserve on 30 September 2003. Five people from this group were from Galway. It is anticipated that further applicants from Galway will succeed in obtaining places in further training groups over the coming months.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on bringing the recruitment procedure for An Garda Síochána into line with European Union practice with regard to the age limit for entry in so far as time spent on compulsory civil service or compulsory military service is taken into account; and his views on whether European Union citizens who have come to live here would be treated equally by such a practice being accepted for entry into An Garda Síochána. [31566/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Regulation 5 of the An Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 (as amended) provides that, in order to qualify for admission as a trainee with An Garda Síochána, prospective applicants must, inter alia, be at least 18 years and under 35 years of age on the first day of the month in which the relevant competition was advertised.

The eligibility criteria including age limits set out in these regulations apply equally to all citizens of member States of the European Union.