Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will keep my contribution short. At this time of year, everyone in this House receives a stream of phone calls from their communities with reports of fireworks, bangers and bonfires. It is nothing new, but I have noticed that reports are coming in earlier every year. It has now got to a stage where fireworks are being let off all year round and not just at Hallowe'en. They are disruptive, dangerous and being purchased and used illegally. The problem persists, so clearly there is something wrong with the efforts to combat it.

One of the problems is the lack of significant numbers of community gardaí. This antisocial behaviour is happening at a time when the number of community gardaí in the State has fallen from 1,182 in 2010 to 710 in July 2020. In the Tipperary division alone, the number has fallen from 108 to 79 in the same period.

I am conscious that I am running out of time. Something needs to be done. Families with elderly members, young children or children with special needs are affected at this time of the year. I ask the House to support Deputy Ward's motion, which is sensible and straight to the point.

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