Speech by Minister Jim O’Callaghan: Garda Representative Association Annual Delegate Conference 21 April 2026

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President, General Secretary, members of An Garda Síochána.

Go raibh maith agaibh go léir - thank you for inviting me to address your annual conference. I am very pleased to be here today.

As Minister for Justice and as a grandson of a Garda, I want you to know that protecting the security of the people of Ireland, through An Garda Siochana, and building stronger, safer communities, is one of my most important duties and priorities in Government.

I am privileged to travel across the country to visit dozens of Garda stations and meet with so many frontline Gardaí from every region and division.

I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting you at many public events where I have witnessed first-hand the strong ties that An Garda Síochána has to the communities you all serve, and the strong regard in which you are held by the people.

We must always remember that this relationship that you hold is at the core of our policing model.

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all for the work that you do every day as Garda members.

You are the representatives of An Garda Síochána in each of our towns, villages and communities. You are the backbone of our policing service. You provide an incredible service to the people of Ireland. When a call for service is received you are there to respond.

Never underestimate or take for granted the sense of assurance that your presence has for individuals and communities across the State.

I again want to express my sincere thanks and that of the Government to the men and women of An Garda Síochána who showed such professionalism, commitment and courage in guaranteeing the safety and security of the State and its citizens in response to the recent protests and blockades. That was a difficult occasion for us all but the gardai performed admirably and your reputation has been enhanced as a result of how you policed those events.

The right to protest peacefully is a fundamental Constitutional right and one which must be protected.

However, it is not an absolute right. That right must be exercised lawfully and must respect the rights of others to earn a livelihood and to move freely. I am aware that the policing of protests is a complex matter. It requires balancing conflicting rights.

However, when protesting changed to the blockading of fuel and critical infrastructure, it was not a peaceful assembly in line with public order. In those circumstances An Garda Síochána were required to restore order. That is what you did.

It is a credit to you that you not only managed to remove the blockades at both ports and fuel depots in a swift manner following a number of days of engagement; you did so without any notable injury to the individuals at the blockades or any member of the force.

For the most part, these protests and blockades ended peacefully and that is, in no small measure, down to the professionalism of the Gardaí involved. I should also mention with thanks the assistance from the Defence Forces who supported your efforts professionally and effectively.

I want to thank the leadership of all the Associations, who worked with the Commissioner and senior management to respond to these extraordinary events. I contacted your general secretary last week to ask him to thank you for facilitating the declaration of an exceptional event.

I also want to acknowledge the leadership shown by Commissioner Kelly and his team - not just during last week’s protests but since his appointment last September.

The request I get most from communities and other elected representatives is for more gardai in their areas. To achieve that I need to increase recruitment.

Recruitment has increased, despite the public discourse to the contrary. Over 200 trainees are now regularly entering Templemore in each intake. As these classes attest, I expect numbers of sworn Gardaí in An Garda Síochána will reach record levels during the course of 2026. This will put us on course to reach the benchmark goal of 15,000 Garda members over the next year and to go beyond it in future years.

As An Garda Síochána grows, I want to ensure that the Commissioner has the resources he needs at his disposal. This will call for more training, and ensuring we provide a wide range of opportunities for you to develop and apply your skills and expertise within the organisation. In turn I expect this will also allow for further opportunities in your own careers.

Of course, increasing recruitment and building Garda numbers alone is just the bedrock of the work that is ongoing. My officials and I are working to deliver effective policies and legislative change that will support and have a tangible impact on your work in communities.

Much of this work is aimed at future-proofing the organisation and to deal with current and emerging technologies. The aim of these new legislative provisions is to equip Gardaí with appropriate tools for the digital age we all live in.

There is already a successful pilot of body worn cameras, which are providing for the de-escalation of incidents and additional evidence in court proceedings. I want to see this equipment rolled out to every Garda member nationwide. We are also strengthening the use of other recording devices, including CCTV and cameras that may be mounted on vehicles, such as drones, to increase operational capabilities. This will reduce the administrative burden on Gardaí.

I want to ensure that we utilise technology so that the manual review of hours of CCTV footage is no longer needed. That is why we are working on the use of biometric identification technologies that can scan hours of footage and flag images of concern instead of a Garda, or even teams of Gardaí, having to watch that footage to find the key few minutes, or moments, that are required. To that end I am progressing the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill.

I’ve often been told that the rollout of mobility devices has been a ‘game changer’ for Gardaí. These devices make it quicker and easier for you to look up vital information as you go about your duties. They also allow you to issue fixed charge notices at the roadside, and check the status of a driver’s licence, tax and insurance.

These are the kind of efficiencies that are making a difference and that we want to see more of.

As I have said on many occasions, I am open to considering any measures I can provide that can assist you in undertaking your duties. I secured unprecedented funding in Budget 2026 to resource and support An Garda Síochána and this Government will continue to invest in initiatives that deliver efficiencies and enable An Garda Síochána to fulfil its mandate.

Another reason why I am pleased to be here today is the opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on the hard work and success that you deliver daily and to hear as many of your stories and your individual successes as I can.

I want to highlight the impact of High Visibility Policing patrols in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

During the first 6 months of the rollout in Dublin there were increased detections for Public Order offences, Drunkenness, Drugs for Sale or Supply and Drugs for Simple Possession. Arrests and charges and summonses also increased considerably. At the same time, thefts and robberies have decreased.

This demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach, and we are seeing similar results in Cork and Limerick and in other key areas in due course.

It is vital that Gardaí are visible to the public and these patrols are providing that sense of security to residents, businesses and visitors. Your success is also reflected in recent crime statistics which show a continued reduction in most major crime types. This is the result of the hard work and commitment that you bring to your roles.

CSO data released recently show decreases in most offences in 2025 compared to 2024. Burglary & related offences fell by 13%, reflecting the continued success of Operation Thor which focuses on detecting and preventing burglary and associated criminal activity by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative activity.

Homicide and related offences fell by 25% while kidnapping and related offences fell by 21%, reflecting in particular the significant success of An Garda Síochána in combatting organised crime groups. You have been at the forefront of efforts to combat this scourge on so many of our communities. The activities of frontline Gardaí have resulted in the prosecution and conviction of numerous organised criminals. In the last decade, Gardaí have made over 1,000 arrests for organised crime offences. I commend every Garda involved in this work.

For the most part, the relationship between Gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. However, we know that there is still a small unrepresentative group who target Gardai.

I am concerned about the unacceptable levels of hatred and vitriol directed at Garda members, sometimes in person, but mostly from faceless accounts on social media platforms. Anonymous social media accounts are the platform of the coward. Harassment of members of An Garda Síochána online or in person for carrying out their sworn duty will not be tolerated. Any threats directed at Gardai or your families are particularly reprehensible. I know the Commissioner has confirmed that criminal probes have been launched to examine recent social media posts which issued threats against Gardaí and their families.

I also want to acknowledge that in 2025, 379 of your colleagues sustained an injury as a result of being assaulted. Assaults on Gardai are also unacceptable. An amendment to the Criminal Justice Act increased the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening to assault a Garda or other on-duty emergency worker, from 7 to 12 years.

€460 million has been allocated in the National Development Plan to increase Garda capabilities in the areas of digital transformation, technology, and cybersecurity. As well as body cameras, tasers are a proven, less-lethal tactical option to manage high-risk and violent situations. I supported the introduction of tasers and I want to commend the leadership shown by Commissioner Kelly and Acting Deputy Commissioner Cleary in the swift implementation of the tasers pilot project. While the wider rollout of tasers will depend on the evaluation of the pilot project, early signs are positive.

On the matter of discipline and suspensions, I want to take a moment to speak directly on this. I must also be mindful that internal Garda discipline falls under the Commissioner’s remit.

It is critical to acknowledge that the vast majority of Gardaí serve with integrity and do their duty with commitment and dedication. Public confidence in An Garda Síochána depends on Gardaí demonstrating the highest level of personal professional standards of behaviour.

There are robust procedures in place to allow the Commissioner to deal with any allegations of misconduct in the proper manner and I brought forward regulations last April which strengthen these processes.

We have also streamlined the process for investigations by Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, so that they can reach determinations faster.

Anyone who is brought before the courts has the right to defend themselves and their reputation. We are, rightly, proud of the relationship that the Gardaí have with the public in this country. Other jurisdictions do not have such close ties between their police and the public.

That trust has taken many years to build up and we cannot allow it to be eroded. Every case must be handled in a fair and equitable manner, and I believe the reforms we have made will make the system more effective and efficient.

I appreciate that the implementation of the new Performance and Conduct Regulations has been a significant change for you, and the Garda organisation as a whole. My officials continue to engage with Garda management on the issue, so that a suitable and agreed process can be implemented that provides clarity to Garda members and management on what constitutes a minor breach that may be dealt with under an informal process.

One of the most effective ways I can support Gardaí is by securing resources for the organisation.

In Budget 2026, I secured €2.74 billion to support a range of activities, and I want to focus on a couple in particular today.

We all agree we need a larger Garda organisation. That is why this Government is committed to recruiting at least 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda Staff by 2030.

Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is now gathering real momentum. I know that you are faced with many competing priorities, but I am confident that with the momentum that we now have on Garda recruitment, more resources will be at your disposal to meet the demands placed on you.

Just under 800 trainees entered the Garda College last year, the highest number since 2018. In the first intake this year, 215 recruits entered Templemore. This is the third intake in a row with over 200 recruits. Another intake is scheduled for early May and I will also launch another recruitment competition shortly.

Work is underway to increase the capacity at the Garda College in Templemore, with the support of the OPW. When that additional capacity comes on stream, we will be able to accommodate 500 Garda Trainees on site at any one time.

In order to ensure that the skills needs of the organisation are met over the next decade, the Garda Training Review Group has been established. The group will identify options to increase high-quality education, training and continuous professional development in An Garda Síochána.

I have requested that the group report back to me by July.

Another focus of mine is ensuring garda stations - your place of work - are fit for purpose and modern. €911 million has been allocated to Garda projects, including the completion of new Garda stations in Portlaoise, Newcastle West and Bailieborough in 2026 and early 2027.

It will also support work on new stations in Macroom, Clonmel, Castletroy, Carndonagh and a new HQ for the Dublin north region. The Garda College in Templemore will also receive a significant investment.

The construction of these new state-of-the-art Garda stations is a priority for An Garda Síochána and will have a hugely positive impact on the local communities they serve. The additional investment in Templemore will support the government’s target of recruiting an additional 5,000 Gardaí.

Importantly, €35 million is provided for a rolling programme of minor refurbishment works at Garda stations around the country.

I also want to mention the €69 million I have allocated to expand and electrify the Garda fleet over the next five years. This will also take account of the need to install adequate charging points.

Following sustained investment in air assets, a second new helicopter will be delivered this year which will significantly enhance surveillance, search and public order capabilities. Funding is also provided to An Garda Síochána to further develop its drone technology.

I am keen to see Gardaí accessing the best facilities and equipment so that you can provide the best policing service possible.

Another key part of my role in supporting An Garda Síochána is bringing through legislation which will, I hope, make your job easier to carry out.

Other benefits of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill that I mentioned earlier is that it will allow me to provide for biometric analysis. I am also progressing the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill. The primary aims of this Bill are to:

• provide a clear and transparent statutory basis for the existing police powers of search, arrest and detention, supported by statutory codes of practice;
• subject to those powers, place the fundamental and procedural rights of suspected and accused persons on a statutory basis; and
• rationalise and modernise the powers to take account of developments in modern technology and best practice in policing.

Officials in my Department are continuing to engage with Garda colleagues on technical aspects of the Bill in advance of amendments being brought at Committee Stage.

I am also progressing a Miscellaneous Provisions Bill which will include a range of provisions intended to free up Garda time.

The legislation will enable the digitalisation of documents, including bench warrants and charge sheets, which Gardaí are currently required to produce in paper form and physically deliver to the Courts.

This legislation is important as the changes it contains will improve administrative processes, allowing for more time on the street engaging with communities.

From July, which is approaching quickly, Ireland will assume the six month long rotating EU presidency.

I am fully aware that the EU Presidency will place extra demands on all of you, to ensure the large security operation required runs smoothly but also to ensure that a day-to-day policing service is maintained. This requires careful management. While I secured €125 million for An Garda Síochána to cover the costs of the Presidency, I know the task ahead is challenging in terms of personnel allocation, training and other resources to ensure that everything is in place for the first of July. I will continue to support An Garda Síochána in whatever way I can during this period.

As many of you will be aware there are a number of issues which I have engaged with you on and where you have asked for my support.

In relation to travel and subsistence, I want to acknowledge the work of the Garda Associations and officials who have engaged in an extensive mediation process with the expert support of the WRC.

I appreciate that this process has taken longer than expected and I welcome the progress that has been made in recent weeks with the conclusion of the WRC process for the new Travel and Subsistence Scheme which is a significant milestone.

If the new scheme is ratified by the Associations, Gardaí will benefit from a package of changes which includes an increase on the day subsistence rates of 54% for the lowest band and 44% to the upper bands as well as an increase to the overnight rates of €58 (an increase of almost 40%). In line with the current civil and public service scheme, the new Garda Scheme will attract increases in line with the Consumer Price Index. This is something the representative Associations have worked on closely, to ensure it is implemented for the benefit of their members.

Engagement is underway between Garda management and the Associations on two outstanding issues, which will clear the path for the deal to be considered by your Executive Council in the first instance.

I know that a new public service pay deal is soon to be negotiated, and representation in those talks is a significant issue for your Association, as it is for other Associations. I have raised this issue with my colleague, Minister Jack Chambers. I will continue to work with him to ensure that engagement is progressed to address the concerns raised.

My officials have met with their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure who are responsible for setting the format and engagement in relation to any pay talks. I have continued to direct my officials to engage again with the Associations before the new negotiations begin.

I welcome the positive engagement of the Association with the Local Bargaining process. I understand that the Executive has met with Garda management and submitted a number of claims for consideration.

This process is defined by the Pay Agreement, to which the Association is an agreed party, and I cannot intervene in the ongoing negotiation process. However, my officials will continue to support An Garda Síochána in working to resolve these outstanding claims.

I encourage all parties to continue to engage meaningfully on these issues and I know that we share common goals to build a stronger service and support the work you do each day.

To conclude, I want to, again, thank you, and all your colleagues, for your dedication and commitment to keeping the people of Ireland safe.

We are very proud, and rightly so, of the tradition of policing by consent in our country and of the fact that An Garda Síochána remains a community police service.

That tradition is carried every day by each of you, and all your colleagues.

I hope that my commitment and that of the Government to supporting you as you go about your work is clear. I will continue to work to ensure you have the resources and supports you need to keep the people of Ireland safe and secure.

I wish you the very best for the rest of your conference and thank you for inviting me to be here.

Go n-eirí libh go léir.

ENDS.