Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That does not answer the question I asked. The Tánaiste mentioned that new measures are being implemented to ensure that the Garda information services centre operates effectively. I asked what those measures were and if that is being monitored. It might be of interest to the Tánaiste and her Department that there was a meeting in September of the Castlebar municipal district council which was attended by the local superintendent and chief superintendent. While they said that overall crime was down, they were concerned that the incidence of drug possession was up by 106% in the constituency. Interestingly, the meeting was told by the superintendent and chief superintendent that the number of drug searches had increased in that period. The increase in the number of searches had led to an increase in detection and, therefore, the increase of 106% in possession offences. This shows that increased policing leads to increased detection and prosecutions. There is a direct correlation, so if there is less policing and fewer resources there will be less detection.

I also wish to highlight my serious concern about the increase in the number of sexual offences recorded in the constituency. It has increased by 46% over a two year period, which is a worrying figure. What will the Tánaiste and her Department do to tackle this increasing incidence of sexual offences not just in County Mayo but at national level?

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