Speech by Minister O'Callaghan at AGSI Delegate Conference, Westport

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President, General Secretary, Sergeants and Inspectors.

Go raibh maith agaibh go léir - thank you for inviting me to address your annual conference again. I’m extremely pleased to be here.

As Minister for Justice, 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 have had the honour of visiting dozens of garda stations around the country since my appointment. In every case I have seen, first-hand, the critical yet challenging roles that you undertake as Sergeants and Inspectors.

Since becoming Minister I have focused on enabling and delivering a vibrant and strong policing service that is highly visible in our communities.

I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources, technology and systems it needs to prevent crime and keep our communities safe.

Since the last time I addressed your conference Commissioner Kelly has taken up his role. I want to commend the excellent leadership that the Commissioner is giving to An Garda Síochána. I have regular and productive engagement with the Commissioner and I look forward to continuing this with him and his senior management team as part of my work in supporting all of you.

My officials and I are working to deliver effective policies and legislative change that have tangible impact on your work in communities.

I want to use the time I have with you today to thank you for your leadership and for what you have achieved and continue to achieve. I want to talk through the changes and improvements that are underway, including the work we’re doing to extend both staffing and training. I want to address some areas that remain a challenge for you and for us all, and to highlight our shared goals for the service over the coming years.

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Sergeants and Inspectors carry the responsibility for supporting, guiding and supervising frontline Gardaí and maintaining strongly connected relationships with the communities you serve.

You also play a critical role in delivering the priorities set out by senior Garda management. This gives you a unique responsibility and perspective on the service provided, and I look forward to hearing from some of you later on your experience and views.

While politicians in roles such as the one I am privileged to hold are somewhat focused on always looking ahead and considering how we address the challenges that we face, it is really important, especially on a day like today when we’re all together, to reflect on the impact and difference that you are making.

I am regularly approached – almost every day - by members of the public who are eager to compliment and commend the excellent service provided by An Garda Síochána. Your work means so much to people and to communities – in fact, the most frequent comment I receive is that they want to see more of you.

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 last Thursday shows decreases in most offences in 2025 compared to 2024.

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 - in the last decade, Gardaí have made over 1,000 arrests for organised crime offences. The activities of frontline Gardaí have resulted in the prosecution and conviction of numerous organised criminals.

The recent successful prosecution of Seán McGovern is an example of what dedicated police work can achieve.

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.

Ensuring that high-visibility patrols and check-points are carried out at specific times of day in known ‘hot-spots’ has disrupted the movement of burglars.

Communicating regularly with people in communities about crime prevention measures has provided assurance and peace of mind to elderly members of our community particularly.

This Operation has delivered a signifiant drop in the number of residential burglaries particularly during the winter months.

I commend the Sergeants and Inspectors involved in this work.

A more recent development I want to highlight is the introduction of the High Visibility Policing firstly in Dublin, and latterly in Cork and Limerick.

We already have data on the impact of high visibility patrols in Dublin City Centre.

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 I am sure we will see similar results in Cork and Limerick and in other key areas in due course.

I want to recognise and commend the role Sergeants and Inspectors play in operating patrols as part of the high visibility plan. It is vital that Gardaí are visible to the public.

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I also know that the security arrangements for upcoming EU presidency will be at the forefront of Garda planning for the second half of 2026. This requires careful management and I was happy to secure €125 million for An Garda Síochána to cover the costs of the Presidency.

I know work is ongoing to provide the appropriate allocation of personnel, training and other resources to ensure sufficient competence and capacity is available for the six months.

I appreciate that this will result in extra demands being placed on all Garda units, as it will on many other aspects of the Irish public service. Sergeants and Inspectors will be crucial to managing demands placed on Garda units, both in terms of providing security during the various events that we will host and in maintaining the everyday police service during this time.

I will continue to support An Garda Síochána in whatever way I can during this period. The Presidency is an important duty for Ireland, and is a time where we will be at the centre of Europe, showcasing our nation, our public services, and our ambition for Ireland as part of a strong EU.

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, 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 also welcome your positive engagement with the Local Bargaining process. I understand that you continue to work with Garda management in relation to a number of proposals you have submitted for their consideration. 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.

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

In Budget 2026, I secured an unprecedented €2.74 billion for An Garda Síochána. The increased funding will 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.

I have stated numerous times that supporting An Garda Síochána, in whatever way I can, is my number one priority as Minister for Justice, Home, Affairs and Migration. Increasing the size of the organization is at the forefront of that commitment.

There are, as of the end of February this year, 14,529 attested Gardaí serving. More broadly, the overall Garda Workforce has increased from 15,980 in 2016 to 18,276 in 2026. More than 2,800 people have entered the Garda college since it reopened in 2022.

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.

Over 11,100 applications were received last year across two recruitment campaigns.

Just under 800 trainees entered the Garda College in 2025, 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.

I look forward to launching a further recruitment competition this year.

As An Garda Síochána grows we need to consider how we can ensure that training demands can be fulfilled. While the training college in Templemore will always be the primary centre for training Gardaí, we can all acknowledge its capacity limitations.

Work is underway to increase capacity in the short-term, with the support of the OPW, in order to increase recruitment and training places across the campus. It is anticipated that additional capacity will become available this year, providing capacity for a total of 500 Garda Trainees on site.

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 is tasked with identifying options to increase high-quality education, training and continuous professional development in An Garda Síochána.

The group will also consider the case for a second training college and the role that the tertiary system could play in the delivery of training for all Gardaí. There will be increased training needs right across the organisation as it continues to meet new challenges and deliver on its mandate.

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

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Another focus of mine is ensuring garda stations are fit for purpose. It is important that Gardaí are stationed in modern workplaces that are up to standard.

Late last year, following the review of the National Development Plan, I secured €2.18 billion for a Justice Sectoral Investment plan out to 2030.

€911 million of this is 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 strategic 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, €35million is provided for a rolling programme of minor refurbishment works at Garda stations around the country. This investment will ensure that stations across the country receive the improvements they need. I know that the Garda Estate Management Team are currently working with the OPW to finalise the programme for this year.

I also want to highlight the €69million I have allocated through the Sectoral Investment Plan to expand, modernise, diversify, and electrify the Garda fleet over the next five years.

Following sustained investment in air assets, a second new helicopter will also be delivered in 2026 significantly enhancing surveillance, search and public order capabilities. Funding is also provided to An Garda Síochána to further develop its drone technology as well as accommodation for the equine and canine units.

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

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Part of delivering that policing service is keeping Gardaí safe. In 2025, 379 Gardaí sustained an occupational injury as a result of being assaulted. Assaults on Gardai are not acceptable. Abuse or violence directed at Gardaí will not be tolerated. Reducing harassment and abuse experienced by members is paramount to ensure a sustainable and safe workforce.

We have seen that the introduction of body worn cameras, during the proof of concept, has had a very positive impact. Highly successful pilot projects have been operating in Dublin city, Waterford and Limerick. Body worn cameras are not only curbing public aggression and preventing crime, but the evidential value of footage is also helping to secure convictions in court.

I want to see every frontline Garda equipped with a body worn camera. To that end, and as part of Budget 2026, I have secured €19 million to progress this at scale. This additional funding is critical to protect frontline Gardai and prevent criminal activity.

To enhance the effectiveness of Body Worn Cameras, I am progressing the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill. Once enacted, this legislation will save Garda time associated with reviewing vast amounts of video footage and images. It is not acceptable that Gardaí are spending hours on end combing through footage for evidential material when we can use technology instead.

€460million has been allocated in the National Development Plan to increase Garda capabilities in the areas of digital transformation, technology, and cybersecurity.

Another tool to deter the assaults of Gardaí are tasers. We know that tasers are a proven, less-lethal tactical option that can assist Gardaí to manage high-risk and violent situations, reducing the need for more forceful interventions.

I want to commend the leadership shown by Commissioner Kelly and Deputy Commissioner Cleary in the swift implementation of the pilot project on the use of tasers.

So far in the pilot project, Gardaí have only drawn the device in three instances. In all cases, this led to the successful de-escalation of the situation without any further use of force. Since the commencement of the pilot use of tasers, they have not been discharged. While the wider rollout of tasers will depend on the evaluation of the pilot project, early signs are positive.

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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 will allow me to provide for biometric analysis. This analysis can be carried out retrospectively on images gathered in the course of an investigation by Gardaí in the context of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of an arrestable offence, in the search for missing persons, and for the protection of the security of the State.

There will of course be protections and oversight mechanisms put in place, including a code of practice and oversight by a High Court Judge, who will report to the Taoiseach annually on the operation of 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.

I know that the provisions of the Bill are eagerly anticipated by your members. The Bill completed second stage in the Seanad on 4 February 2026. 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.

The second stage debate was held in the Dáil on 22 January. Work is underway to progress a number of amendments at Committee stage, a date for which is awaited.

This legislation is important as the changes it contains will improve administrative processes, allowing for more time on the street engaging with communities, something I know is important to you all and those you manage and support.

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There has been public discourse in recent days and weeks regarding Garda discipline and suspensions and I want to address this today.

I must be mindful of course that some matters have been before the Courts, and also that internal Garda discipline is under the Commissioner’s remit, so I will not comment on individual matters.

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 quicker.

However, I will say this; the criminal justice system and the law must apply to all of us. Our system operates on the presumption of innocence and that applies to everyone, be they a member of the public or a member of An Garda Síochana.

Anyone who is brought before the courts has the right to defend themselves and their reputation.

Our system is designed to be a set of independent, yet interlinked, bodies with defined roles and responsibilities so that political intervention or interference in the administration of justice cannot occur.

That is the system operating in the intended independent manner. It is not open to me, as Minister, to intervene in investigations, in the deliberations of the Director of Public Prosecutions nor in the operation of the courts.

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 only serve to strengthen this approach, the Garda organisation, and our policing service.

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

Through the promotion of crime prevention and visible policing, An Garda Síochána foster a sense of security, especially among the most vulnerable in our society.

The dedication shown by Gardaí means that, as reported by the 2025 Global Peace Index, Ireland remains ranked overall the 2nd most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland, and in the top 10 for Societal Safety and Security.

I have outlined some of the ways in which I intend to make doing the excellent work done by Gardaí up and down the country a little easier and safer and I hope you will continue to see the benefits of these initiatives in your work.

I wish you the very best for what I’m sure will be a very productive and informative few days.

Go n-eirí libh go léir.