Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is a disappointing response. We understand the Garda will have different priorities. It deals with white-collar crime, gangland crime and everything else, so this may not be the issue at the top of its agenda. From the perspective of this committee, however, in dealing with community groups regarding issues such as play areas, marts and people trying to run festivals or motor insurance, we understand the impact this issue is having on insurance premiums. I encourage the Minister to point out to his Government colleagues that this squad should be a priority as part of a solution. It should also be made clear to the Garda that it is not being asked to compete for resources in combating insurance as opposed to securing additional resources for areas such as white-collar crime or gangland crime.

It should be stated that it is understood there is a need for additional action on insurance fraud and that money will be carved out for An Garda Síochána. It will, of course, be understood to be a reasonable amount and that 500 people are not going to be employed to staff this unit. The Garda should be made aware that these resources will be made available as a ring-fenced budget and not cut from other budgets. That is where the Minister's response is disappointing. It is stated repeatedly that this is a priority. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, tells us all of the time that this is one of the big issues.