Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Government will continue to increase the number of gardaí on the street. We have provided for additional overtime, additional resources for specialist units and more prison places for those who are convicted. We have far more prison places now than we had previously, and they are all full. Detection rates cannot be down when that is the case. A criminal justice Bill with tough provisions is before the House and I hope it will be passed this session. The Government will continue to deal with the thugs and vandals who try to upset the life of ordinary, decent people.

See this speech in context