Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the work being done in increasing the number of gardaí on the beat, which I welcome. However, I draw the analogy between a garda in O'Connell Street and a garda in Kerry shouting that he or she needs help. There would be a fair difference in the response times involved in getting help or additional resources to those gardaí. We have challenges in Kerry that are not faced in this city or other places. I want to make sure that the policing of County Kerry and its lengthy coastline and the need for additional resources are at the forefront of the Minister's mind at all times. He saw this at first hand when, at our meeting, he viewed maps on the wall showing the size of the county. He understands the position.

It is welcome to have a Minister who has his feet on the ground and understands the problems and difficulties we face. I hope the businesses, families and people in our communities, including the great people involved in community alert schemes who try to help protect and police their own areas in the best way they can, will receive the support and resources they need from the Minister, the Government and An Garda Síochána.

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