Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate the Minister cannot be present today and understand where she is. I welcome the fact some additional resources and additional gardaí have been allocated to the area. People have said they noticed the additional presence on the ground. This cannot be just a short-term fix. A long-term solution must be found to problems in the district. Three Garda stations are located within 10 km of each other, one in Edenderry, one in Enfield and one in Derrinturn. They are probably in three different districts. Perhaps the Garda Commissioner might consider opening one of the three stations on a 24-hour basis to service the area. It is important for people to have confidence that they can go about their daily lives without living in fear of intimidation or criminal activity by the gang in this area. I welcome the opening of Templemore to recruits but it is vitally important that we have a long-term solution to the problem and that additional gardaí coming from Templemore are allocated to Kildare on a long-term basis.

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