Tipperary TD says Fine Gael and Minister cannot fast-forward garda training after riots

Tipperary TD Alan Kelly has said that the Minister for Justice and Fine Gael should not be claiming credit for fast tracking trainee gardai to work in Dublin following the Dublin city riots.

"It had absolutely nothing to do with either of them," he said.

The Labour TD said that Fine Gael on social media claimed that Minister McEntee "has fast-tracked the attestation of trainee Garda in Templemore, meaning we will see more Gardai on the beat before Christmas". 

"This simply is not true and could never happen as the Minister confirmed to me in a reply to my parliamentary question on the issue.

"She said: ‘As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including all HR and recruitment matters. As Minister I cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such matters and I had no role in his decision to move forward the attestation date from the 12th January 2024 to the 15th December 2023’."

Deputy Kelly said that Fine Gael and Minister McEntee "should concentrate on ensuring our communities are protected by resourcing the Gardai properly and ensuring their pay and conditions are dramatically improved rather than claiming credit for decisions that are nothing to do with them”.