Despite promises to the contrary, the first recruitment of Gardaí in more than five years will now not take place until next year. A ban on hiring new officers for An Garda Síochána has been in place since 2009, as part of a moratorium in the public sector, gravely affecting the local economy of Templemore.
In July of this year Fine Gael Justice Minister Alan Shatter had announced that the controversial Garda recruitment ban, currently now in force, would start again after plans were sanctioned by the Public Spending Minister Brendan Howlin.
The Minister had stated that it was very important for an organisation like An Garda Síochána, given the demanding nature of policing, to receive a reasonably regular intake of new recruits. He stated that he would now make arrangements with the Public Appointments Service, so that they can do the necessary preparatory work to deal with new applications later this year in 2013.
Deputy Noel Coonan TD had also, last February, welcomed what he called “positive news” from his Fine Gael colleague, Minister Shatter that the Government was now to review its position regarding the future recruitment of new Gardaí, following representations on this matter, he himself had concluded with Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe.
Remove the senate and use the money to recruit Gardai, and do it this year.