Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has plans to discuss the far right with the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25315/23]

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the policing of far-right protests and aggression against refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 35 together.

I recently met with the Commissioner to discuss the incidents where tents belonging to refugees in Dublin City Centre were set on fire. I want to be perfectly clear that these scenes are totally unacceptable and will be fully investigated by An Garda Síochána.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including public order.

There have been a number of protests on the topic of immigration recently and there is a small minority whose intentions are to create division and who are engaging in intimidation rather than legitimate protest at these events. I have been assured that the policing approach to protests is predicated on keeping people safe, preventing any anti-social and criminal behaviour and traffic management, where appropriate.

Gardaí deploy an increased presence where they deem it necessary and I know that members from An Garda Síochána and Dublin Fire Brigade took control of the situation which unfolded in Dublin earlier this month.

Having spoken directly with the Garda Commissioner, I am confident that a policing plan is in place and the Commissioner has assured me that he has the operational integrity and the resources to police the situation.

It is important to say that over the past year, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here. While people have the right to protest and of course that right must be respected, people do not have the right to do this in a way that causes others to fear for their safety or in a way that threatens public order.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a target exists for the number of persons to be recruited into the Garda Reserve; when recruiting will commence; the budget for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25235/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Established in 2006, the Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give something back to their communities. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing.

I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of the Reserve who volunteer their time for the community's benefit.

The Government's target is to bring the Garda Reserve up to a strength of 2,000, but it must be emphasised that recruitment is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and that the Public Appointments Service will run the recruitment campaign for the Reserve on behalf of the Commissioner.

As part of the Government’s plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, A Policing Service for our Future, the Garda Commissioner has developed a Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which provides a roadmap for the development of this important service.

The Strategy published in October 2021 is informed by an internal review of the Reserve, and sets out key commitments including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation.

The Garda Commissioner has established an Implementation Group and Oversight Committee to ensure the Strategy delivers on its objectives, and I look forward to working with him to increase the number of members of the Reserve and in realising its full potential as a resource to policing and in providing a pathway to full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, including from minority communities.

A priority is a new recruitment campaign, which I understand will be held later this year or early next year, following which new reservists will be appointed.

The campaign will target a broad and inclusive range of candidates, in keeping with the Reserve's role as a visible form of community engagement. My Department is currently engaging with An Garda Síochána on revisions to the regulations governing the Reserve ahead of the commencement of this recruitment process.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the budget allocated to the Garda Reserve for 2023 is €1.395 million.