asked the Minister for Justice if he will state if he proposes to increase the number of uniformed Gárdaí in the City and County of Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Uniformed Gárdaí in City and County of Dublin.
Mr. Byrne
The number of uniformed Gárdaí in the Dublin Metropolitan Division has been considerably increased in recent years. The question of a further increase is under consideration.
In the event of a further increase, can the Minister assure the House that the new Gárdaí will be chosen by some form of competitive examination, and will not be nominated by the members of the Fianna Fáil Party?
Mr. Boland
That has never been done. I cannot agree to have a competitive examination, because this is a matter for the Commissioner. There is a qualifying examination, however. I would remind the Deputy that the Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment of Gárdaí, and not the Fianna Fáil organisation—that has never entered into it, and the Deputy should well know that. This business of throwing discredit on every Government Department ought to cease. The Deputy knows that what he has suggested is not correct. There is preference given to members of the L.S.F., the L.D.F., and persons in the Army, but there is no other preference.