James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Commissioner and his management team to the committee. Members of An Garda Síochána served the State greatly in recent years. It has been a difficult time with Covid-19. My first question is a consequence of what arose in 2020. Has An Garda Síochána increased the mental health supports it provides for members of the force serving on the front line? Gardaí on the streets are facing new challenges. Unfortunately, we also saw a major increase in online abuse directed at gardaí, which proved difficult for some members of the force to deal with. It contributed, unfortunately, to a number of serious and problematic cases, including cases of suicide. I ask the Commissioner to comment in this regard.