Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week I raised the issue of the deficiencies of the Garda fleet in Louth with the Minister for Justice and Equality. I referred to the fact that there was only one community policing van shared between Drogheda and Dundalk, there are only two Garda cars to cover the entire town of Drogheda and the surrounding areas and that gardaí are forced to use their own cars or to walk.

They are effectively starved of the resources required to carry out their duties effectively. Not only did the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, not show any concern for this serious situation, he absolved himself of all responsibility, stating that the local community should raise the issue at the joint policing committee, JPC. The Taoiseach sat there and ignored the fact that his Minister for Justice and Equality has absolved himself of all responsibility.

We raise issues and ask questions every week. The Minister for Justice and Equality is paid a salary in excess of €163,000 per year to take responsibility. I have to ask the question again, because I got no response last time. As the Minister for Justice and Equality has not turned up to the Chamber this morning, will the Tánaiste insist that he states clearly, on the record, when the Garda in Louth will receive the fleet resources it needs to carry out the work it is supposed to be doing? We have had enough of the "could not care less" attitude of the Minister.

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