Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have the figures provided by the Minister's Department in front of me as well. While we have an increase this year, my point is that it is 12. That is minuscule. The figure was on a downwards trajectory from 2011 to 2016. The increase is really only bringing us back up to 2008 levels. My point is that we need to police our country and enforce our laws.

We also have a second challenge born of the controversies with An Garda Síochána in recent years. We need to rebuild confidence.

Let us consider the strength of the traffic corps. At the end of last year we had 11 members of the traffic corps in County Mayo. Even if we directed all 12 of the new gardaí assigned to Mayo, which is unlikely to happen, we would still only be at 23, which is below the 2010 level by four. There was a commitment that the traffic corps numbers would increase by 10% by the end of last year, but that did not happen. The numbers were meant to increase by a further 10% this year. Will the Minister tell the House whether that will happen?

It is important that justice is seen to be done and that we enforce our laws. However, I do not believe the Minister or his Department are doing enough to rebuild the confidence that has been lost in An Garda Síochána because of the numerous controversies that have shaken the force in recent years. County Mayo deserves the same level of commitment as other parts of the country.

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