Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is unable to be here today. However, as the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, will be aware, Garda resources in Border counties, particularly Donegal, have been drained during the past two to three years to the extent that they are now exceptionally stretched and at a level which makes it difficult or impossible to provide the level of policing required to ensure Border areas in particular are policed.

The Minister of State will be aware of the particular challenges in Border areas in terms of the problems that arise for communities living close to populated areas which a force is not responsible for policing. There are many avenues for cross-Border crime. Unless the necessary resources are put in place those wishing to do so will continue to exploit the lack of resources available to police cross-Border crime, leading to an increase in crime in this regard.

What does the Minister, Deputy Shatter, propose to do to address the chronic shortage of gardaí in Donegal and to ensure that its communities can feel safe and be properly policed?

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