Dáil debates

Thursday, 9 July 2020

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed)

 

4:30 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, on their appointments. I pay tribute to the former Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and the former Minister of State, Deputy Stanton.

I live in Drogheda town, which has suffered greatly as a result of a crime wave. The gardaí there are doing a fantastic job fighting it and are very tough on crime. In particular, Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan, Superintendent Andrew Waters, their fantastic gardaí and the community are fighting crime and the evil that has struck at the heart of our society, not just in Drogheda but also elsewhere. Local independent councillor Paddy McQuillan suggested very properly at our joint policing committee meeting this week that the Minister should visit us. It was also suggested that we should make sure the proceeds of crime, especially from drug seizures, are used to help support the communities that suffer most as a result of crime waves. Our chief superintendent said that more than €1 million in cash - the proceeds of drug sales - has been seized in County Louth recently. That is an enormous sum for the smallest county in Ireland. Based on this, there is a large amount of crime and a massive amount of money being made throughout the country. I ask the Minister to consider putting the proceeds of crime, particularly drug crime, into a special fund to fight the effects of crime in our communities.

We are tough on crime but we must be much tougher on its causes. The programme for Government mentions housing. The position on housing is very unacceptable, and there are young families with nowhere to go. Employment is being dealt with through the new stimulus package, but at the heart of crime is poverty and at the heart of poverty is a lack of choice for young people. I argue very strongly, therefore, that the money seized on our streets should be spent on our communities. We need the legislation to do this, however. I ask the Minister to consider that.

The Minister, being from the adjoining county of Meath, is well aware of the question of policing in Drogheda. Owing to the growth in the town, many citizens who avail of all of their services in Drogheda are served from Ashbourne Garda station instead of Drogheda Garda station. I am aware that the Garda is considering this actively. Whatever it does, it must make sure that there is an adequate and proper Garda station in east Meath, especially in the Laytown–Bettystown area. The existing station is too small for the number of gardaí based there and further availability is required at the public offices. That is not to say the gardaí are not always available - they certainly are - but people would like to see them in their offices more than at present.

I congratulate the Minister and look forward to her visit to my constituency, particularly to the town of Drogheda. She will be most welcome at a meeting of the joint policing committee.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.