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Additional measures to protect life from the Covid-19 disease may be needed in the weeks ahead, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.<\/p>\nAdditional measures to protect life from the Covid-19 disease may be needed in the weeks ahead, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.<\/p>\n
Powers of detention contained within emergency legislation passed today are \u201cnecessary\u201d to protect health, the Taoiseach added.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI am absolutely certain they are necessary in order to protect human life and human health and I absolutely guarantee people, effectively creating recession is not something any Government would ever want to do other than it being necessary at this occasion to protect human health and human life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question really is going to be whether we need to take additional measures in the weeks ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have a better idea towards the end of the month if that is necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar attended an attestation ceremony for new Garda officers in Tipperary today.<\/p>\n
More than 300 new garda\u00ed will be deployed to stations nationwide to help respond to the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n
The trainees will bring the force’s numbers to its highest level of almost 15,000.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Varadkar said the restrictions to stop the spread of Covid-19 are \u201cabsolutely necessary\u201d to protect human life and health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am absolutely certain they are necessary to protect human life, and I absolutely guarantee people that creating recessions is not something any government would ever want to do, other than it being necessary at this occasion to protect human health and human life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question is really going to be if we are going to need to take additional measures in the weeks ahead, and we will have a better idea if that is going to be necessary at the end of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n
They are moving to the front line at an earlier point in their training than they would have anticipated due to the current \u201cunprecedented\u201d circumstances, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said.<\/p>\n
Mr Flanagan said: \u201cThe 319 new gardai will be deployed to Garda stations nationally in the coming weeks, where their presence will maximize the operational availability of An Garda Siochana and its ability to support other vital services in response to Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn Garda Siochana has always been defined by a deep connection to community, a connection which, in almost 100 proud years of the organisation, has never been more badly needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to assure those who are vulnerable, alone or afraid, you can count on our garda\u00ed. They will be there to reassure you and to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il justice spokesman Jim O\u2019Callaghan said: \u201cWe need as many members of An Garda Siochana as possible on our streets tackling crime, and protecting our citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cA strengthened garda presence is critical for the safety of our communities during the current Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe newly attested garda\u00ed will play a vital role in the weeks ahead, assisting in a range of measures including supporting public services across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cExtra members of the force are to be deployed around businesses such as supermarkets and pharmacies, to provide reassurance and support to business and the public.\u201d<\/p>\n