Fianna Fail needs to step up its election campaign and will try to mobilise up to 100,000 canvassers in the lead-up to May 17th, the Taoiseach said this morning.
Unveiling the party's policy document on crime, Mr Ahern rejected a suggestion this morning's MRBI/ Irish Timespoll indicated Fianna Fáil was close to an overall majority.
Mr Ahern said internal party figures did not indicate an overall majority was possible and said he was calling for the biggest mobilisation of party support in a generation. He said the only poll he was concerned with was the one that will take place on May 17th for 15 hours.
On policing, outgoing Minister for Justice Mr O’Donoghue said an increase in the size of Templemore would allow between 500 and 600 Garda recruits to graduate each year.
That would be offset by up to 300 gardaí retiring per annum. Mr O’Donoghue said an extra 100 Garda recruits could be accommodated if necessary but did not explain how.
Mr O'Donoghue has also proposed an independent Garda inspectorate under the direction of a retired judge. This inspectorate would independently investigate complaints against gardaí and ensure policing standards are kept.
Legislation to establish a Garda inspectorate is being drawn up and could be in place early next year.