Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Questions about particular policy areas are best addressed to the line Ministers. The Government is committed to providing the maximum resources possible to the Garda in the current circumstances. There have been many successes in targeting anti-social behaviour and protecting people in their homes. There have also been some serious incidents which have unfortunately resulted in deaths. This reinforces the continuing efforts of the gardaí to identify those groups or gangs who target or seek to victimise the elderly whether in urban settings or in rural areas. The Garda regards this as a matter of high priority and conducts continuous surveillance to identify and apprehend the people involved in this appalling cowardly and despicable behaviour.

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