Commissioner, Minister, Members of An Garda Síochána, Distinguished Guests, I am delighted to be with you here today.
Firstly, I am personally delighted for all of the Garda recruits who are entering the Garda College to begin their training. This is a very proud day for you and your families. It is a huge tribute to you to have come through such a tough competition with huge demand, almost 25,000 applicants. Congratulations to each one of you.
I am also delighted to see such a large intake of young men and women bringing their talents to An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána provides a hugely important public service, policing our cities, towns and villages, preventing and detecting crime, bringing criminals to justice and protecting the Irish public.
The demanding nature of modern policing means that An Garda Síochána, like any police force, needs the energy and vitality of young recruits.
In addressing and preventing crime, we need to have a visible and effective policing service that families, businesses, and communities right throughout out the State, both urban and rural, can be assured of.
I’m proud, that despite the economic crisis we inherited, this government has placed firm emphasis on strong and efficient policing.
That’s why we have set-up a high-level group to plan for investment in upgrading Garda technology to meet 21st Century realities and demands.
That’s why we opened up this College.
It won’t close again.
And that last September, we placed priority on re-commencing the Garda intake here to Templemore. It marked a significant milestone for policing in Ireland with a further intake of recruits planned for later this year.
And as our economy recovers, we will continue to invest in and support An Garda Siochana in the fight against crime.
The last year has been a challenging time for the Gardai, but as we proceed into 2015 it is a time of opportunity and change.
You are now a part of this adaptable, changing, modern police force under the leadership of Commissioner O’Sullivan.
2014 saw enormous public support towards An Garda Síochána’s new and innovative Text Alert Scheme.
It has developed into an important crime prevention mechanism with over 500 local groups, more than 100,000 subscribers and an estimated 200,000 text message a month being sent. Every Garda Division, rural and urban now offers this Text Alert Service.
It is innovations like this that complement visible policing and crime prevention.
As new recruits, you will continue this proud tradition of dedicated service to the Irish public. The training programme itself is also new, another sign of the change under way in An Garda Síochána, and is designed to be more relevant to the real-life challenges recruits will face when they leave the College. It will equip you with the skills and capacities you will need to serve the public in an increasingly complex and demanding environment.
Families, businesses, communities and government alike know the dangers which members of An Garda Síochána face, and the bravery they show. And they know too the sometimes terrible consequences.
Very recently we marked the second anniversary of the brutal murder of Adrian Donohue, who lost his life trying to protect the community he served, and we remember him again here today. The Gardaí are determined to bring to justice their brave colleague’s murderers.
Before I conclude, I want to emphasise to you the government’s continued investment in and continued commitment to An Siochana Siochana as you meet the demands of 21st century policing.
Minister Fitzgerald ensured that Budget 2015 brought increased capital investment for An Garda Síochána.
It provided €10 million for 400 new Garda vehicles this year, €27.5m over the last 3 years.
These vehicles which I inspected for myself only a couple of weeks ago will give an enhanced visible policing presence in communities around the State and support Gardaí in their fight against crime.
Shortly, the Minister will also introduce the long awaited DNA database which will help transform serious crime investigations and deter criminals.
Conclusion
Looking around me today, it is fantastic to see a new generation of talented young men and women joining An Garda Síochána.
For you, today marks the first steps on a new journey and a new career path.
I hope you embrace your time here and become part of the proud tradition of service to the Irish people.