Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on a newspaper article (details supplied) stating to the effect that senior members of An Garda Síochána who were retiring in great numbers of late had been just hanging on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46750/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is my top priority as Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform to maintain the crime-fighting capacity of the Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner, mindful of the general moratorium on public service appointments and of the need to make a strong case for any exceptions, carefully monitors the situation and will continue to assess the policing capacity available to him in light of ongoing developments. My officials and myself will remain in close touch with him to ensure he is kept in a position to maintain a viable command structure going forward.

Despite an increase in the rate of retirements in 2009, over 900 members were also attested as Gardaí this year so that the net effect is an actual increase in the overall strength of the force. It should be noted that practically all Garda retirements, whether they occur early or late in a member's career, are in a technical sense voluntary, in the sense that they do not occur on the last day of potential service. Only an exceptionally small number choose to serve until the day upon which they must retire compulsorily on age grounds.

While the current rate of retirements has increased appreciably compared to previous years, it must be remembered that the retirement age for the ranks of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector was increased in 2006 by 3 years to 60, so that we may now, 3 years on, be seeing an element of deferred retirements.