Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand that a pay freeze is currently in place for An Garda Síochána but reforms continue to be rolled out. Gardaí are the real knights in shining armour at the moment, policing our country during a time of crisis. Some feel that this is happening rather quickly and by stealth, without incremental pay changes. These reforms include the much-discussed Garda operating model and the roster and duty management system, RDMS. The four-day roster system has worked well during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has ensured better policing and allowed gardaí to have more quality time at home with their families. They are human after all. It has worked well for communities and for the service at large.

An Garda Síochána was supposed to introduce new uniforms for its members last year.

Is there any update on that? It seems to have drifted down the priority agenda in recent months.

Ardnacrusha in my community has a significant population on the doorstep of Limerick city. Although it is a Clare community, it falls under the remit of Limerick city Garda division, which is understaffed. A garda was based at Ardnacrusha station at the beginning of Covid but we have lost him to the city division. I know that the Minister cannot intervene in this area but I ask that the Garda Commissioner intervene to have that officer returned to Ardnacrusha Garda station. I have said many times in the Chamber that I believe An Garda Síochána need to have capacity to take on what has been dubbed in the media as "mini-CAB" duties. At local housing estate level, An Garda Síochána need to have the capacity to take on the small-time drug dealer, the guy who is living way beyond his means, has luxury cars and a lavish lifestyle and is living a life that most of us could only aspire to or dream of. An Garda Síochána at local level need to have the capacity to deal with that.

The Minister might respond in writing to some of the issues raised.

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