Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt about the Minister's commitment to ensuring that Donegal would receive a fair and equitable share of gardaí. In 2009, Donegal had 488 gardaí. The Minister gives the most recent figure as 294, down approximately 20% since 2009. I know there have been difficulties over the years but the Minister hopes to have a total of 21,000 gardaí by 2021. There have been 1,800 recruits attested since 2014 and this year, 800 will attest. We have received only an insignificant number of those. While it may not be the Minister's responsibility, he has a duty to at least speak with the Garda authorities and tell them that I and many others have raised this matter in the Dáil. We are seeking additional gardaí for a county that has a few kilometres of border with the South, while, in the context of the North, we will have to deal with Brexit. In addition, there is our Atlantic coastline and the fact that we fear it might be used to bring drugs into the country. Donegal is different from the rest of the country. I would like the Minister to speak to the acting Commissioner or the relevant assistant or deputy commissioner and ask them to give specific consideration to Donegal.

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