Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I am not implying that but there has not been a dramatic upsurge. The Deputy referred to four shootings in Limerick, Ballybough, Swords and Drogheda. My best information is that there were a variety of motives behind the offences. Two were quasi-domestic, to use a terrible phrase, while two appear to be drug-related. It is frightening that the people engaged in drug killings now seem to feel they have a right to sort out domestic or quasi-domestic disputes by using firearms.

The resources allocated to the Garda Síochána have been increased by 10% on the figure for last year. The amount allocated for overtime, which is very important in terms of surveillance and search operations, has also been increased substantially; it is up by 13% on the figure for 2005 and 85% in real terms since 1997.

The strengthening of the numbers in the Garda Síochána is proceeding apace. The fully attested strength of the force reached 13,000 on 16 November, compared with a figure of 10,702 on 30 June 1997. This represents an increase of 2,298 members.

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