John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Charles Flanagan for bringing forward this motion on behalf of the Fine Gael Party. Two issues are currently dominating people's minds in this State. One is the economy and the other is law and order, and both of these are a source of fear and insecurity for many. The hundreds of thousands of people coping with mortgage arrears and job losses see the small contingent of criminal thugs holding the country to ransom and wreaking havoc throughout the State. The response of these criminal gangs to the recession has been to increase their murder rate.

The Garda Síochána is coping as best it can with the onslaught. At a local level I welcome the imminent deployment of the rapid response unit in Claremorris to assist in curbing gangland crime in the region. More must be done. The achievements of the Criminal Assets Bureau show what can be done when proper structures and resources are in place, as was done in this case by a Fine Gael-led Government. The Garda has shown again and again that it is capable of great success provided adequate resources and structures are in place.

The reality in regard to gangland crime, however, is that the Government and the Minister are losing the battle, as evidenced by the increase of 18% in robberies of banks and post offices, of 80% in kidnappings and abductions and of 12% in aggravated burglaries. The bottom line is that these criminals have no respect for human life. Eight murders have been committed by these criminals so far in January. The conviction rate is low. Even when they are put in prison, they seem to use it as a headquarters from which to direct their operations on the outside. There was a time when crimes of this nature were confined to urban areas. They are now found in all parts of the country. There were two stabbings and a murder in County Mayo on a single weekend last August. I was shocked last week to read a report which stated that the Garda does not have the technology it needs, including computers and fax machines.

I will conclude by mentioning some other measures that need the immediate attention of the Minister and the Government. Senior and middle ranking positions in the Garda have not been filled. Over 30 rank and file gardaí in County Mayo retired last year and many have not been replaced. The net effect is that many rural Garda stations in my constituency have been closed by default. The Garda authorities do not have the numbers to deploy because of retirements and the shortage of recruits coming out at the other end. The force is losing people with vast experience who would offer a guiding hand to younger members of the force. The net effect is that many rural Garda stations are unmanned and have to be serviced from local Garda district headquarters. The situation needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I could give the House a list of Garda stations in County Mayo, including those in Knock, Ballindine, Claremorris and Hollymount, that are unmanned at present. Rural gardaí used to live in the communities they served — they are now present in those communities during working hours only.

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