Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are determined to tackle rural and urban crime. We have to ensure that the resources on the front line and the necessary legislation are in place. I am bringing in the strongest legislation there has ever been - it is currently before the House - on burglaries because they are heinous crimes and need to be dealt with effectively. That legislation will ensure repeat offenders will have difficulty in getting bail and will serve consecutive rather than shorter sentences, which is what is happening at the current time. The Judiciary will have the legislation in place to allow that to happen, which is extremely important.

The mobile resources gardaí need, the cars and the vehicles and the numbers, will be there. A total of 61,000 extra hours have been made available. They are now in use at the same time as these other initiatives. That is what is going to make a difference in tackling urban and rural crime.

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