Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Cheann Comhairle as deis a thabhairt domh an cheist thábachtach seo a thógáil ar an Athló sa Dáil tráthnóna inniu. Is cinnte go bhfuil imní agus míshásamh ar fud cheantar Ghaoth Dobhair faoin méid iompair mhíshóisialta atá sa cheantar le cúpla mí anuas. Chuir pobal Ghaoth Dobhair é sin in iúl go neamhbhalbh tá coicís nó trí seachtaine ó shin ag ábhalchruinniú a bhí sa seanséipéal ansin. Chuir siad a n-imní in iúl, agus ba mhaith leo go nglacfaí céimeanna chun deireadh a chur leis an iompar seo. Caithfear é a dhéanamh gan mhoill.

Bunbeg Garda station is the busiest in the Glenties Garda district, which serves a densely populated rural area. Moreover, the population doubles during the summer months with the influx of visitors. Bunbeg station has five gardaí and one sergeant and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This has led to local people going to the homes of gardaí in emergencies. The station must be open longer hours. Given the escalation of criminal behaviour, it is essential that the station be open 24 hours per day.

The station is not equipped with the PULSE system. Gardaí from Bunbeg must travel to Dunloe or Glenties to update records, wasting valuable time that could be spent on the beat. It is not surprising we have seen an increase in crime when, as revealed to me in response to a recent parliamentary question, fewer gardaí are serving in Donegal now than in 1997 when the Government's predecessor took over. Incidences of serious anti-social behaviour have escalated. Schools have been vandalised and one, Meenacladdy school, has been set on fire and damaged. The pupils have had to move to other premises while it is being repaired. Public and private property has been vandalised and cars have been stolen and crashed. Much disorderly behaviour has occurred on the weekends, a new development that is causing concern to the law-abiding local community.

More than 300 people attended a public meeting three weeks ago to voice their anxiety at the spread of loutish behaviour. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must ensure a greater Garda presence in the area before the current difficulties escalate. I make no criticism of the serving gardaí, who are available as often as possible. They are badly resourced and need assistance. The station should be open 24 hours per day and the PULSE system should be installed to avoid gardaí travelling hour-long round journeys to input information in other stations in the county. More patrols by unmarked Garda cars are needed to stem the tide of anti-social behaviour. I call on the Government to adopt Fine Gael's proposals to establish a local community Garda forum that would enhance co-operation between gardaí and local people, ensuring that a one size fits all approach is not foisted on the community in Gweedore.

Tá an cheist seo go dona i láthair na huaire, agus sin an fáth ar thóg mé sa Dáil í tráthnóna inniu. Caithfear rud éigin a dhéanamh chun deireadh a chur leis an iompar míshóisialta i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá sé ag cur isteach ar phobal na háite, agus beidh sé ag cur isteach ar chuairteoirí fosta. Is beag duine atá ciontach, since it is confined to half a dozen people or fewer. However, it must be tackled and nipped in the bud. Unless we get the extra resources to support the Garda and longer opening hours, the problem will escalate. I appeal for immediate action before the influx of visitors during the summer holidays.

Perhaps I might make so bold as to say that I know that the Ceann Comhairle is very familiar with that area and its peace-loving people. We would not like to see the current anti-social behaviour taking hold up there.

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