Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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Like other members of the committee, I pass on my condolences regarding Garda Kevin Flatley's untimely passing in tragic circumstances.

I have read the Commissioner's statement, which is really positive. From my experience as a city councillor for 21 years and now as a newly elected Deputy, I know of a number of issues where there is a gap between what the Commissioner is saying and the experience on the ground. One of the things I will raise with the witnesses is the compulsory use of the 999 number for reporting incidents. In that regard, the experience on the ground is not a positive one. People are very reluctant to ring 999 because they feel it is counterintuitive. The 999 number has always been an emergency one and not necessarily to report a quality-of-life issue, such as antisocial behaviour. The experience has been that those who use 999 do not get the response they require.

I had an example at the weekend where a woman rang 999 to report a missing child and there was no feedback at all. I had another case where a window was broken in one of the local communities I represent. The person rang 999 because he had previously been advised by me that this was the course of action to take. There was no response and no gardaí showed up. When he followed it up at the local garda station he learned it had not received any information regarding the incident. There was a complete breakdown in that respect.

I personally witnessed a number of incidents in another village in the constituency I represent. I had cause to ring 999 last week because I witnessed an incident where a knife was taken out beside a very elderly man and it caused serious upset for the gentleman. It was the same individual who had shown up again. When I rang 999 I gave provided my details - my name and date of birth - as requested and, again, no one showed up and there was no follow-up or feedback. Does the Commissioner believe the 999 system is working? It does not seem to be working on the ground.