86 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of the panel group from which applicants are being recruited into the Garda Síochána; whether it is intended to recruit gardaí from the remaining panel groups; if so, the number of gardaí that will be recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The current Garda recruitment competition covers the period 1994 to 1997, inclusive. Following the 1994 written competition candidates in panel groups 1 to 8, inclusive, were interviewed and a total of 1,222 interviewees were successful. It is anticipated that this number will be sufficient to meet recruitment targets to the end of 1997 and that no further candidates in the remaining panel groups will be interviewed.