Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As I outlined to him, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the location of Garda deployment where she sees fit. That is done in accordance with population trends and crime figures. I will personally bring the Deputy's concerns to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality but I encourage him either to send a copy of his transcript to the Garda Commissioner or write personally to her about his concerns. I understand the Tánaiste will be in contact with the Commissioner and the Garda authorities with a view to raising the Deputy's concerns with them but I encourage him to write to the Garda Commissioner stating that he raised this issue in the Dáil and that the reply he got was that the Commissioner is responsible for deploying gardaí in whatever location she sees most needs the resources.

The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures for the second quarter of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories, including a 26% reduction in burglaries. I understand the Deputy's concerns about a huge number of people travelling down the motorways to commit crime. That is happening in my constituency in County Wexford. It is not the local gangs but gangs mainly from the greater Dublin area that are carrying out most burglaries and other crimes. I encourage the Deputy to write to the Garda Commissioner and I will bring his concerns directly to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.

See this speech in context