Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Not enough is being done to deal with the problem of crime in Dublin and in the country. The key to resolving it in the interim is to sufficiently resource the Garda. There are not sufficient resources and, in spite of the Minister's reply that increased resources have been granted, with which I do not have a difficulty, the omens are not good. Last year, a Supplementary Estimate of €25 million was needed and a similar amount will be needed this year if sufficient funds are to be made available. Warnings have been issued by no less a person than Mr. John Leamy, who recently took up an important position, and a colleague of the Minister in Cabinet who indicated the Garda is struggling to keep up with legislative changes and the new responsibilities involved. Votes containing sufficient resources are vitally important.

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