Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. It is worth acknowledging that we live in a country that has a relatively low crime rate compared with other developed countries and we are fortunate to do so. In large part, that is down to the excellent work of An Garda Síochána every day of the week. Were it not for An Garda Síochána, we would not live in a country that has a low crime rate. I agree with the Deputy that there is no acceptable level of crime. I know the north inner city well. As the Deputy knows, I worked there for a period. I have visited on many occasions and still visit regularly. The area is full of great people and good communities. These people do not deserve to ever be victimised by criminals in their communities.

A British Prime Minister once said that the best policy approach to crime is to be tough on the causes of crime and to be tough on crime itself. I agree with that philosophy. When it comes to being tough on the causes of crime, we can see a key initiative being undertaken by the Government in the north-east inner city. It was started by my forebear, Deputy Enda Kenny, and subsequently continued. The Deputy has welcomed the initiative, with which she is very familiar. It is a really good example of how Government, Government agencies and local authorities can come together to target an area of deprivation to help prevent future crimes.

We also need to be tough on crime, however. That is why, under my leadership since I became Taoiseach, An Garda Síochána has become better resourced than ever. Some €1.7 billion is allocated to An Garda Síochána every year, which is the biggest budget it has ever had. We have restored Garda recruitment with hundreds of extra gardaí being added to the force all the time. We are investing in vehicles, equipment and ICT and, led by the Garda Commissioner, we are reforming the organisation to ensure greater civilianisation to allow more gardaí to be on the street, where people want them, rather than in administrative positions behind desks. That is all under way and I am sure we will see demonstrable results.

With regard to the Deputy's specific question about Fitzgibbon Street Garda station, the Government has committed to reopening the station as part of the plan for the north-east inner city. I do not know why it has not been opened yet or what the timelines are, but I will find out and get back to the Deputy. I will do the same with regard to the policing forum.

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