Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In case I did not explain it properly the Garda was not denying that there is a problem in any way and I did not want to give that impression. The Garda was also very clear that there is a sense of abandonment and that the feeling of many citizens, regardless of where they live, is that there are not enough gardaí on the beat or that we do not see them. That message rings out loud and clear from every area. We were grappling with how the Garda should better use its resources in the new era with fewer resources, closed Garda stations and with a lot more happening on social media. I do not deny what Mr. Kennedy is saying about many people in rural areas living in fear and that happens in Dublin as well but the point that the Garda was trying to make was to ask what the basis for that fear was - whether it was based on fear itself or on a rise in crime. The Garda said that there has actually been a reduction in crime in rural areas so while it is the case that people in rural areas are in fear we should not be whipping that up or making it worse than it already is. Could the reason for that fear be linked to other forms of isolation which would lead one to believe that if the problem is just fear and isolation then good neighbours, more interaction and more community spirit is a way of addressing that fear? If it is more crime and violence then more gardaí are the solution. The Garda was saying that overall one is safer living in a rural area with the type of crime that does occur.