Garda recruitment in IPAS centres
Deputy O'Flynn asked why gardaí were deployed to recruit in IPAS centres and who approved it. The Taoiseach said he did not know, it was not Government policy, and he would raise it with the Minister for Justice.
Can the Taoiseach explain to the Members of this House how members of An Garda Síochána were deployed to recruit at IPAS centres, centres housing individuals many of whom have entered the State without passports or documentation and without verification of background checks? Some of these individuals may not be the vulnerable cases as the Government often portrays, yet gardaí were sent in and invited them to consider a career in Irish policing. The Tánaiste said this practice was not appropriate. Can the Taoiseach tell us who signed off on this and whose idea it was to draw a cohort that cannot be fully identified into the Irish policing force? Will he give a commitment to this House that this policy is reverted and stopped?
Comment on this
I do not know. I do not deal with the operational practices of An Garda Síochána. I do not intervene in those. I was very surprised to see this. This is not Government policy but I will revert to the Deputy and ask for communication to be sent to him. I will talk to the Minister for justice about this.