Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments of others on domestic violence. It is very topical and was highlighted by the lockdown.

This issue to be looked at very seriously. There is also a need for increased expenditure to ensure there are more places for people and shelters for people who require them. I am thinking particularly of people in my own county of Donegal where the only shelter is in Letterkenny. For such a large county, this is a very restricted position. The focus needs to be on this issue as well. I know the Minister will do that as it has been mentioned by all Members here.

I welcome what the Minister said on the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report and highlighted what is going to happen. If I understand correctly what the Minister said, we are going to see increased numbers of gardaí on the ground through the implementation of that report. That would be welcome as the lockdown procedure has shown that the gardaí have worked very well and have been very visible. They have been available and have been seen in public, which is very powerful. This was highlighted to me a couple of weeks ago during the lockdown. When I was on my way home, I stopped three times by local gardaí in County Donegal. That showed the work they were doing on the ground and that they were very visible, which was positive.

For that to continue into the future, there has to be a recognition that increased funding is required. While the civilianisation of the police service in terms of administration might free up some more people, there has to be a recognition that increased funding is necessary to ensure the service is there. This is particularly so when, in the normal run of things, in my own area of south-west Donegal, where it is probably 35 miles from Inver Bridge to Glencolumbcille, that two gardaí are on duty at the weekend, with only one squad car, if they are lucky. That is the reality of the situation on the ground and it does not make sense and is not workable. There are nightclubs in Killybegs and in Glenties and there are late night pubs in Ardara and two gardaí cannot police such an area. That is not to mention the other towns and villages throughout the area. The Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, would know the area well and would know it is not feasible to have two gardaí, who may not even have a car, policing it. This cannot be allowed to continue. If this Covid-19 period has shown anything, it has shown this has to change. I hope the Minister recognises this and that we will see this change through an increase in the budget and expenditure over the years ahead.

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