John Brady
Question:26. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the current situation in regard to the development of a national security strategy. [14312/23]
View answerDepartmental Strategies
Questions (26)
Written answers
Our national security is always a primary concern for the Government, and we are carrying out substantial work in building and sustaining our security and capabilities across several sectors, including justice, defence, the economy, energy and cyber.
The threat from republican paramilitaries is an ongoing priority and our authorities continue to work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Britain to counteract it.
The deterioration in the European security environment caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; the related economic and energy impacts of that war; the growing impact of cyber-attacks; instability in the international environment; and challenges posed by hybrid threats are all aspects of a more complicated international security environment in which we and our partner states are developing strategic responses.
The Tánaiste announced last week the Government’s plans for a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will seek to generate an open, evidence-based discussion on our foreign and security policy.
The Forum is designed to build public understanding and discussion on the links between the State’s broad foreign policy approach, national security and resilience, and the State’s defence posture .
Question No. 27 resubmitted.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (28)
Alan Dillon
Question:28. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economy and Investment will meet next. [15202/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment is due to meet on 25 May.
Questions Nos. 29 to 34, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 35 to 39, inclusive, answered orally.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (40)
John Lahart
Question:40. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice the personnel located in each of the Dublin Garda stations (and not to include regional personnel hosted in Tallaght); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18077/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment.
As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. Neither Minister Harris nor I have any direct role in these operational matters. I am assured however that the Commissioner and his management team keep the distribution of resources under constant review, in light of local policing needs and crime trends.
I can advise the Deputy that as of 31 March this year, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 3,675 Gardaí assigned to stations in the six Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), which is an increase of 5% on 2015. A further 97 members are assigned to DMR Headquarters and DMR Roads Policing.
I can further advise the Deputy that the number of Garda staff assigned to stations in the six divisions has increased to 413, as of 31 March this year, from 210 in 2015. These numbers represent an increase of almost 50%.
A full breakdown of personnel assigned to each station is published on the Garda website. My Department will arrange to send those figures to the Deputy’s office later today.
This year’s Garda recruitment campaign closed last Friday and I am pleased to say that interest in joining the ranks of An Garda Síochána remains high.