Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Statistics can say many things, but there is very clear evidence that we do not have the Garda numbers that we should.

On another point, the Commissioner also helped support the working group we had in 2019 in respect of scrambler bikes. That working group has followed through and we now have the new Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. It has been fantastic to see a problem that was in some ways more emblematic of a larger problem in its impact being dealt with, particularly as people felt the Garda was powerless to deal with it. It is really welcome that these additional powers are available and will be operationalised by An Garda Síochána. Gardaí will, for example, now be able to go into people's gardens and remove scramblers. They can be removed and destroyed, so they will not be going back out on the streets. I ask the Commissioner to keep going with that work.

E-scooters are being used as a mode of distribution by drugs gangs. I ask that An Garda Síochána also takes on board the provisions in the legislation that prevent underage children using e-scooters, e-scooters travelling above the speed limit and e-scooters being used on pavements. These are all ways by which we can make places safer for everybody. What has been provided in the legislation also provides a way of disrupting the distribution network the drugs gangs are using. They are using underage kids who look like they are just going about their business but are actually part of various networks.