Speaking at Garda Passing out Parade, Garda College, Templemore

Minister Fitzgerald, Commissioner, distinguished guests and of course our new members of An Garda Síochána.

This is a proud day for you and your families.

It is equally a proud day for the Government to see 97 vibrant and enthusiastic young men and women following the call to public service in joining the ranks of An Garda Síochána.

You are committing yourselves to serving your country and communities.

We know and trust you will carry out this commitment to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the highest-possible standards.

The State depends on the Garda for the protection of its citizens and its security against those who would threaten its very existence.

The people of Ireland entrust in you extensive powers, in order that you may fulfil this important role.

With these powers comes responsibility.

As members of An Garda Síochána you are accountable for the use of these powers, which you will be expected to use proportionately and judiciously.

The establishment of the new independent Policing Authority will bring a further layer of public accountability to the administration of policing services.

The new authority will be able to demand reports and information and it will hold regular public meetings with the Commissioner and senior Garda management.

At these meetings, the leadership of the force will be required to account for their policies and priorities in an open and transparent forum.

I think this is a very positive development for the Garda, because it will further solidify the very real trust and respect which communities across Ireland have for its members.

It is a testament to the high standards of An Garda Síochána that despite the recent controversies and challenges, the force still enjoys that trust and respect.

For our part, in Government, we are committed to providing the fullest possible practical support to the force.

In terms of investment, we have had the very welcome reopening of the Garda College to new recruits, sanction for the recruitment of 550 new Gardaí and greatly increased investment in new garda vehicles.

I wish to assure the Commissioner of the Government’s support as she implements her planned journey of reform, change and the continuous development of the force – structurally, technologically and most importantly, culturally.

I wish to congratulate you on completing the first stage of your training programme which will lead to a Bachelor of Arts in Police Studies.

This new programme carries a greater emphasis on operational policing and focuses on real-life scenarios which will prepare you for the policing challenges you will face as you go out into the community.

The next stage of your training, as the Minister has already indicated, will see you move from the college into the community as you disperse to Garda stations throughout the State for the next 62 weeks.

Of course, the traditional view of what the Garda does no longer encapsulates the range of duties the force now undertakes.

I know this from first hand in the Department of Social Protection, where, for almost a year now, 20 members of the force have been seconded to the Department’s Special Investigation Unit.

This unit is dedicated to tackling social welfare fraud, and the 20 gardai have been a tremendous asset, helping us secure excellent results.

Just this week, an individual was convicted of social welfare fraud and given a suspended sentence.

He had been flying between the Czech Republic and Cork to claim jobseeker’s payments, and this welfare tourism was detected by one of the gardai assigned to the unit.

I have always championed the welfare system as a safety net for those who need it most.

It’s precisely because the State’s limited resources should go to those most in need that I make no apologies for tackling fraud and abuse in the system.

The Garda Siochana has provided an extra pillar to our investigations to root out such fraud and abuse.

That’s just one example of the variety of roles in which you may serve throughout the career.

It won’t be easy. At times you will experience some of the worst sides of human nature.

You will have to deal with the fallout from the many social problems faced by our society.

And you will be called upon to help people when they are at their most vulnerable.

I have full confidence that the training you have received in the revised training programme will fully equip you to deal with the diverse range of situations you will face.

So to conclude, you have joined An Garda Síochána in an environment demanding more openness and accountability.

Your training programme has prepared you well for that environment.

I hope that each and every one of you contribute in your own unique way to helping An Garda Síochána evolve and grow in a way that can bring great pride to you as individuals, to the organisation and to the country that you have vowed to serve.

For today, I again congratulate you on this wonderful achievement and wish you all a successful, fruitful and rewarding career.