Garda Reserve
40. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether it is appropriate to begin recruiting for the Garda Siochána reserve in May 2006 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; his views on postponing this recruitment drive until such a time as there is agreement among rank and file gardaí on the reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/06]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Questions Nos. 3 and 5, respectively, of today’s date.
Mr. McDowell: The provision in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 for the establishment of a Garda reserve won widespread support in the House, although the Deputy and his colleagues opposed it. In giving effect to the will of the Oireachtas, I am committed to real and substantial consultation.
I have met each of the garda representative associations to discuss the Garda reserve. I have also invited them in for more detailed discussions on the Garda Commissioner’s proposals on the recruitment, training, powers, duties and deployment of reserve members. The chief superintendents have already come in for one such discussion and, as the House will be aware, the superintendents’ association has backed the proposal but has stated that it wants to be consulted as well, and it will be. I am grateful for the very helpful comment it made. I expect to discuss the matter with the superintendents next week.
I commend these associations for their positive attitude to the proposals, and I hope that both the GRA and the AGSI will see the value in now engaging in consultations. My door is open. I have made clear that, subject only to respecting the will of the Oireachtas on the establishment of a reserve, I am genuinely open to any constructive proposals on the recruitment, training, powers, duties and deployment of reserve members and I want to hear the views of the associations on those matters rather than simply a sterile argument on points of principle. I reiterate they have the opportunity to help shape the role of the reserve and I urge them to seize that opportunity.
It was a pleasure to go to the AGSI conference recently and to be allowed to address it. I noted that the rank and file members present were divided, approximately 50-50, in support for the position which was so strongly articulated by their executive. It was the executive’s vote that swung the day.
Although I may not get the same opportunity with the GRA, I will keep my door open and I intend to publish the regulations in draft form to bring them before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights and have a good discussion with all Members of the House who are interesting in discussing their substance at that venue. There is no obligation under the Garda Síochána Act to do so, as the regulations simply require the approval of Government, but I thought it right to undertake the widest possible process of consultation before finalising the proposals for the reserve. I look forward to engaging with the committee, and the committee may well take the opportunity to hear a variety of different views on the proposals.
I recently commissioned research into the public’s attitude to crime and law enforcement, and I was particularly pleased, but not at all surprised, at the strong level of public support this indicated for a Garda reserve, with 73% of respondents in favour.
The Oireachtas has decided that there should be a Garda reserve and the public strongly support this. The Garda Commissioner’s proposals envisage a thoroughly-trained reserve, with carefully selected powers and duties, working under the supervision of members of the Garda Síochána. I am engaged in a process of comprehensive consultation on these proposals, including consultation with a joint committee of these Houses.