Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Our motion this evening makes some specific long-term recommendations with respect to identifying and preventing rural crime and introducing greater fairness to the operation of the justice system. We remain convinced, however, that there are simple things that can also be done in the immediate term to create a greater sense of protection for rural Ireland. One of the most obvious is the need to increase Garda visibility in rural communities. People want to see the local garda on patrol, not just for the protection of property against theft, but also for peace of mind on a day-to-day basis. I salute the community police and local gardaí in my area who do such a good job. They need to have confidence and where that is not possible due to cuts or station closures, people feel increasingly isolated and vulnerable. That is why we are also calling for a review of the trespass laws, aimed at strengthening the rights of farmers, homeowners, landowners and business people to protect their property and person.

Rural communities are very much open to active collaboration with the Garda and with the various agencies and Departments that can help in reducing the incidence of rural crime. For this reason, we will push for a dedicated rural crime task force to be established on a permanent basis, where such collaboration can be targeted and focused to achieve the best possible outcomes. We have seen with the community alert groups, the second of which was set up in my home village of Caisleán Nua, and neighbourhood watch schemes that people are willing to support and help the Garda. No police force can provide a policing service without the support of the people and that also applies here.

Road traffic legislation was recently railroaded through the House by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, with the acquiescence of Fianna Fáil Deputies who sat on their hands and did not vote against it. The level of over-policing of that legislation is shocking and is doing untold damage to community support for An Garda Síochána, local gardaí who want to help and the traffic corps. We want to support the Garda but the excessive number of checkpoints at which people are being stopped and breathalysed is ridiculous and is intimidating people going to and coming from work. Some balance is needed because we need people to support the Garda. Rural people are ready, willing and able to support An Garda Síochána. They want to do so but we need balance. We need community police in communities, going to meetings and giving them communities their time and energy. We need more gardaí on the beat. We do not want to see these massive checkpoints, not to mention the €100 million being spent on the contract for GoSafe vans. This is a cash cow for the Department of Justice and Equality which will do nothing to solve crime or give confidence to people in rural areas.

See this speech in context