Shatter renews pledge to restart garda recruitment

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter is renewing his promise to resume garda recruitment, but he admits there is no timeframe for the process.

Minister Shatter says he is in negotiations with the Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin to hire new officers on a modest scale and ensure the force stays above 13,000.

In April he delayed his plans to begin recruiting again, following the rejection of the revised public sector pay deal.

However Minster Shatter, who is today appearing before the Oireachtas Justice Committee, now says its important to have a regular intake.

"I believe it is important to have some regular intakes of recruits, even if on a modest scale," he said.

"I'm currently engaged in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to see how this aim could be best progressed,"