James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister will be aware, there was a 10% drop in garda numbers in County Wexford between 2010 and 2015. In the past five years there has been a serious depletion of Garda resources in County Wexford and across the country which has led to an increase in fear in many rural communities. Older people and people living in rural areas, in particular, have been affected. It is now not unknown to see high gates around small houses in rural areas. As part of the Fianna Fáil confidence and supply arrangement, Fine Gael has agreed to increase garda numbers to 15,000 and support investment in CCTV systems. Additionally, the programme for Government pledges an increase of 2,000 in the number of gardaí, which would signify an increase of some 15%. Will the Minister guarantee that County Wexford which has one of the lowest ratios of gardaí to population in the country, without taking into account the fact that in the summer period 60,000 mid-stay tourists come to the county, will see at least a 15% increase in the number of gardaí?

See this speech in context