McDowell 'hopeful' of increasing Garda numbers
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said today he was hopeful of finally meeting the Government’s commitment to recruit 2,000 extra gardaí.
Speaking at the re-launch of the Crimestoppers phone line, Mr McDowell said he had made the necessary consultations with his cabinet colleagues.
He said: “I am very hopeful in future that we will be able to relax the embargo on increasing gardaí numbers.”
He said the provision of 2,000 extra gardaí, which was promised by the Government during the 2002 general election, would involve an intensive recruitment programme over a number of years.
