Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 June 2006

3:00 pm

Photo of Séamus HealySéamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

While any increase in Garda numbers is welcome, does the Minister accept that an unacceptable situation has been allowed to develop by him and the Government, as well as the previous Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Administration, in south Tipperary over the past ten years? For example, there has been no increase in the number of gardaí in south Tipperary during the lifespan of this Government. Moreover, since the Progressive Democrats-Fianna Fáil Government came into office in 1997, only four additional gardaí have been deployed within the south Tipperary Garda area. This constitutes an increase of approximately4%. During the same period, overall Garda strength increased by more than 16%.

Hence, the allocation to south Tipperary has been completely inadequate and unfair. While the additional numbers which the Minister has just provided are welcome, they do not meet the needs of the south Tipperary area. As the Minister is aware, the area has experienced a considerable increase in crime levels, including drug-related crime.

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