Leader’s response on Garda resources
The Leader says Garda recruitment has resumed, additional patrol-car funding is available, and he will invite the Minister to debate policing resources.
Senator Darragh O'Brien commented on the Garda and resources for it. It was a matter raised by Senator Catherine Noone also. As the Senator knows, recruitment has recommenced to the Garda. On several occasions the Senator has raised the matter of patrol cars. I gather up to €8 million has been provided in the past two years for the purchase of extra patrol cars and the Commissioner has been told that the Garda will receive any resource necessary to combat crime. I will invite the Minister to come to the House to debate law and order and the provision of resources for the Garda.
There was a call for a debate on the HSE service plan. I have asked the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to take part in that debate. He informs me that he will deal with the plan in the Dáil first and that he will probably come here after that.
Senator Ivana Bacik remarked on the Bill to be be published tomorrow on technological universities. Certainly, we will have a debate on that legislation. It is an important Bill to provide for the creation of technological universities. I imagine the Minister will be willing to come to the House to discuss it in early course.
Several Senators have called for a debate on the situation in Syria. I have asked the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, to come to the House next week. He has agreed to come for a debate on Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. That debate will take place on Thursday next. I hope all of the Senators who have asked for a debate will come to the House and contribute to it.
Senators Ivana Bacik, Michael Mullins and Paul Coghlan and several others commented on the expansion of embassies to promote trade, in particular. This is to be welcomed, as is the provision of a person for the reopening of the Irish Embassy to the Vatican. Everyone has been generous in welcoming it, with the exception of Senator Rónán Mullen, who was far from generous in his comments. Everyone is different, obviously.
