Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I seek leave under Standing Order 31 to have Dáil business suspended to discuss a matter of local and national importance, namely, the fact that serious crime in the Carlow-Kildare division rose by 12% in 2006 compared to a 1.4% increase nationally and has risen by 74% since 2000; the continuing undermanning of the Garda force in the Carlow-Kildare division where we have one garda for every 558 people, the worst manned Garda division in the State; and the refusal of the Minister to acknowledge that there is a serious crime problem in the Carlow-Kildare division.

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