Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits to support An Garda Síochána. I know Deputy Michael Healy-Rae raised it. In Tipperary there is a huge division. I wish the new Commissioner well, but I want the Minister to clarify comments he made on overtime. With the evenings now drawing in, people are frightened in their homes. We have got very few of the new recruits to have come out of Templemore in recent years. I salute An Garda Síochána, from the gardaí right up to the sergeants, inspectors and superintendents, for doing its best with limited resources. The Minister knows the situation in Clonmel Garda station. I am talking about gardaí out on the beat to answer the calls. They need the assurance that they will have the overtime where it is needed. A contract worth €100 million has been signed with the Go-Safe vans. The previous contract was for €87 million. These are of no use to anybody in addressing crime such as robberies and the associated fear. The Garda needs to be supported to tackle all these criminals, roving gangs and whatever in order to reassure the people of Tipperary that they will have gardaí at the end of the phone and available to come to their assistance. They must support the Garda.

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