Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I itemised in my question the role of the joint policing committees because I did not want to discuss it. A cohesive campaign between local authority officials and the Garda Síochána, in conjunction with the joint policing committees, would be money very well spent.

To put it in context, the population of my district has doubled in a decade. The population of my county has increased by 60% in 15 years and we have much the same number of gardaí. Local authority staff payroll has been cut by 3% and this will mean there will not be an impact. The population of the Minister's county has also increased. When the people are not available on the ground to deal with these matters early, it will not be money well spent. This is also my concern about the joint policing committees. If the resources are not put in place, there will be no real impact.

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