Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an gCoimisinéir Harris agus leas-choimisinéirí Shawna Coxon agus Justin Kellly. Chomh maith leis na baill eile I convey my condolences to the family of Garda Kevin Flatley and the wider Garda Síochána family on his passing, which was a huge tragedy for our State.

I will revert to the issue of recruitment and retention and numbers because in the area I represent it is all about numbers. That is no different from many other parts of the country. I come from the Cork North-Central constituency where we have seen a reconfiguration of services and the merging of services in areas of high population such as Ballincollig and Bishopstown, and Douglas and Carrigaline. There is a feeling locally that this is a dilution of Garda resources and that each area of high population merits having its own patrol unit.

Community policing has worked successfully in the communities I represent. I cannot advocate strongly enough for it. It has been hugely successful in introducing people in the community to members of An Garda Síochána through street leagues, our monthly neighbourhood watch meetings and the interaction and constant toing and froing between community gardaí and Garda services more generally and community organisations such as family resource centres and families. The gardaí have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to such issues as diverting young people from criminal activity by having knowledge of communities. There is a feeling with the reconfiguration of services that there is a risk of that being diluted and I am concerned about that. That is the first issue I would like to get some feedback on.