Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the House yet again I am absolutely committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to ensure the organisation is properly and appropriately resourced. The resources available to An Garda Síochána have reached new levels with the provision for this year of more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of €95 million in respect of Garda overtime. We are also making progress on achieving the Government's vision in respect of numbers and new recruits.

I acknowledge again the interest of Deputy O'Dowd in the matter and thank him for his invitation to me to visit Drogheda Garda station last week and meet community leaders. I recognise the work of the men and women of An Garda Síochána who work in Drogheda every day and night. I acknowledge that they face a very serious challenge. As I said before, the type of criminal behaviour that took place in Drogheda in November has no place in a civilised society. It will not be tolerated. An Garda Síochána has overcome similar challenges in the past and, while all of us must remain vigilant, I am satisfied, having met Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan and Superintendent Andrew Waters, that they will meet this challenge and overcome it.

I thank Deputy O'Dowd for his interest in the matter and the town of Drogheda over a long number of years. I assure him of the support of the Government in dealing with this challenge for the Garda Síochána, the communities and us as public representatives. I thank Deputy O'Dowd for raising this matter in the Dáil and his assurance that he will monitor the position over Christmas. I would be happy to revert to it in the new year when the Dáil resumes.

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