John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to speak on this important issue. Kathleen O'Toole recommends sweeping changes to Garda structures. The Garda inspectorate will investigate how the force is structured and will make recommendations to the Government. The executive committee, chaired by the Garda Commissioner, will include two sworn officers, deputy commissioners, a civilian deputy commissioner and a civilian legal adviser. A newly created team of existing assistant commissioners shall be given more operational power.

Two reports have recommended the civilianisation and reform of the Garda and that is to be welcomed. The Government has been in office for nine and a half years, and despite the recent inquiries which have adversely impacted on the perception of the Garda, it is important we take Kathleen O'Toole's report on board. Her report was beneficial and she felt she had to introduce an internal report. I have no doubt her recommendations will have a huge impact, but they need to be acted upon.

One of the recommendations is to put more gardaí on the beat. When one considers the anti-social behaviour that is taking pace in every city and town, it is clear we need more gardaí on the beat. The Garda's shift system is split in three. Arising from this, there can be instances where there are very few gardaí on the ground. There has been a lack of investment in Garda resources by the State, ranging from Garda patrol cars to e-mail access and mobile phones. The PULSE system has failed to deliver. It is a disappointing return when one considers the €8 billion budget that has been put into the force.

We must address the lack of gardaí on the ground. I have often felt that gardaí who retire represent a huge loss of talent. Many of them have a lot of experience and could have continued to work on a renewed contract. Garda sergeants must retire at 57 and that is a huge loss too. We are now introducing gardaí on a voluntary basis, but it is a shame when one sees the talented gardaí in their 50s who are being lost to the force. I have spoken to gardaí who, while wishing to avail of their redundancy payments, could be re-employed on a day shift basis. The uptake on that could be significant, and those gardaí would work during the day and not on the typical Garda shift system. We see contracts in the public service being extended to 65, and up to 70 in certain cases. It is a shame Garda sergeant contracts could not be extended too.

I compliment Senator Maurice Hayes on the fine report he produced. Kathleen O'Toole has also come up with clear recommendations within a short period of time. Her recommendations are in the area of subsidiarity where power is given to assistant commissioners who will have responsibilities in their own region and be empowered to act decisively. When one looks at the massive increase in the population, regrettably the huge expectation of quality of service is not being delivered. People are disillusioned with detection rates.

Businesses are making huge investments to install basic security systems. They are investing thousands of euro in security but there is no capital write-off on such equipment. We have seen in recent weeks that crime is now affecting businesses in small towns and villages. Businesses with high cash flows, be they petrol stations or supermarkets, are being targeted.

I sincerely hope the implementation of these recommendations will lead to more gardaí on the ground. This is not currently in evidence. There is no facility for Garda overtime which is needed in certain cases. We all have to deal with anti-social behaviour and the incidence of theft. Many rural Garda stations have been closed, although I noticed that some of these are now being reactivated in Sligo. I attended a meeting last week involving Sligo Corporation and the chief superintendent. While I must commend the effectiveness of the Garda's explanations, they have difficulties in terms of back up and funding. The provision of security cameras for Sligo was announced by two Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform but it has not yet been delivered.

The RAPID programme was introduced by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and cameras are very much needed in estates. There has been a lack of funding and the deficit which will have to be paid by the corporation is huge. We talk about embracing new technology but this has not happened. We should look at the type of technology private companies install in their businesses, including closed circuit television cameras.

There are large numbers of people on the busy thoroughfares of Sligo city at 2 a.m. A commitment was given to provide the technology to monitor them but nothing has happened. I hope there will be a positive response given it has been announced on numerous occasions.

I refer to the new Garda station for Sligo. The facilities for over 100 gardaí are totally inadequate. The new Garda station has been put on the long finger by the Tánaiste. Commitments can be made and we can talk about all these reports but are there more gardaí on the streets and is there greater detection of crime?

There is a regional Garda station in my home town of Ballymote. It is so bad that no prisoner can be detained in it. It is a 19th century building operating in the 21st century. This regional Garda station covers the best part of south Sligo. The facilities are totally inadequate. A new site has been bought and I sincerely hope the contract will be signed and that work will commence on this much needed facility.

The civilianisation and reform of the Garda Síochána would be very welcome. However, actions speak louder than words. We call for the immediate allocation of funding for these much needed developments.

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