Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We had two members of An Garda Síochána in here last week and we also had someone from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. One strong theme that emerged was that funding for An Garda Síochána is a political choice. Given what Mr. Kennedy has said about the lack of numbers, and I do not disagree with him, does he think that the IFA should use more influence? It is the most influential and strongest organisation on this island in respect of its ability to lobby Government. Has the IFA looked at putting pressure on the Government? It is not An Garda Síochána that decides what numbers it has in communities. It is down to the funding allotted to An Garda Síochána by the Government. How much has the IFA pressured the Government into increasing the presence of An Garda Síochána in communities?