Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will bring the matter Deputy Durkan raised to the attention of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and get her to come back to him.

I join Deputy Donnelly in commending the work of the gardaí in Dublin West after the horrific incident on Christmas Eve on Main Street, Blanchardstown, a place I know very well as he does. We are committed to continued increased investment in An Garda Síochána, with this year's budget 2024 allocation at €2.31 billion, which is a 23% increase on 2020. We need to make sure there are more resources, more gardaí on the street and more gardaí in the station. I agree with the Deputy on that and I know he has been engaging with the chief superintendent, I expect, in that area. I suggest also that he raises the specific matter, which I can also raise with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on his behalf.

I know Deputy Whitmore has been supportive of these matters. We have brought forward generational change in amending legislation through the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021. The marine protected areas legislation is imminent. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has been working very closely on that and we expect it to be finalised in the coming weeks. We hope to get it before the Dáil in the first or second quarter this year.

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