Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There were announcements by his colleagues on the reopening of Ballinspittle and that Kinsale Garda station would be manned 24-7, all coinciding with his visit. The reality is the Minister acts hand-in-glove with the Garda Commissioner and there is a tie-in there, about which there is no doubt.

Gardaí who have been assigned to the Togher district tell me that they are shocked when they compare the very limited resources in that area with resources elsewhere. There is no doubt that the Togher district, which includes those very large suburbs, is not getting a fair deal as to resources. There is a very real concern within those communities, and I am glad the Minister is here for the end of this debate.

The Minister might say he hears this everywhere but he should check it out. I assure him that he will find that that district is not getting the resources it should be getting. I accept population is not the only determinant but it is certainly a significant factor. This is an area of very rapid population growth and the suburbs are growing very quickly. We need more Garda visibility which we do not have. I ask the Minister to convey these views to the Garda Commissioner so that when he is making decisions on the allocation of resources, these points will be taken on board.

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