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Justice Minister Alan Shatter today attended the Garda Reserve graduation ceremony in Templemore.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said:

It is a proud day, not just for you yourselves but also for your families who have helped you and supported you in reaching this day. I want to commend you for your spirit of volunteerism and your desire to make the world a better place.

This is especially commendable at a difficult period in our country’s history. You have chosen to give willingly of your time to contribute to the good of society. Your volunteering helps the citizens of this state, without exception, by helping to maintain peace and security for us all. This is a great service to your community and to this country. On behalf of us all, I thank you.

The Minister confirmed that

recruitment to An Garda Síochána has started once again, and in the course of 2014 and beyond we will all see new recruits entering the Garda College here in Templemore. Applications are now being accepted from suitably qualified persons, including eligible members of the Garda Reserve, by the Public Appointments Service through their web site.

The new recruitment campaign will see recruits entering the Garda College for the first time since May 2009.

Despite the constraints of the last few years the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Síochána are committed to maintaining operational effectiveness.