Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On page 96 of the programme for Government, in the section on justice, equality and law reform there is a commitment to increase Garda numbers. I acknowledge that it is happening and that the Garda College in Templemore is open, but I am concerned about the future of the traffic corps, in which in 2011 there were 940 members. In 2016 that number had declined to 669 and in 2017, to 643. In my constituency, Roscommon-Galway, the number was down by 23%. It was down by 32% in Longford-Roscommon and 32% in Sligo-Leitrim. Traffic corps numbers have reduced significantly everywhere. There are speed vans all over the place, but the Minister and the Taoiseach know that a speed van will not detect a suspicious vehicle. How many times in the past did the traffic corps intervene with such vehicles carrying people going to cause damage to homes or rob property? Will the Government increase the numbers in the traffic corps? Will it, please, take this issue on board as a matter of urgency?

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