Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the short time available, I will address some concerns in the Bill and other issues. This is necessary legislation that has arisen from the Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences for categories of people, namely, those who are repeat offenders of specific crimes. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these relate to firearms and misuse of drugs offences. The Supreme Court held that whereas the Oireachtas can provide for a mandatory penalty for an offence, it can only do so where a penalty applies equally to all offenders.

Although the power to legislate for mandatory sentences for second offences will be removed from the Oireachtas, I hope the judicial system will ensure appropriate sentences are imposed for those found guilty of supplying large quantities of drugs in the State. Limerick, like many other locations across the State, has been plagued by the scourge of drug dealing. It was reported yesterday that drugs valued at €340,000 were seized on Monday evening. Unfortunately, large quantities of illegal drugs are still finding a way into our communities, causing havoc, and mandatory sentencing has not acted as a major deterrent to this activity.

I commend the Garda on making such a large seizure of drugs, cocaine in particular. There has been a step change in the Garda response to drug dealing in the past number of weeks in my city and I urge the Garda to keep up the pressure. Recently, Operation Copóg, involving the Garda Síochána in Limerick and Limerick City Council, was launched to deal with a specific problem in a specific area. It is having an impact and I hope it is maintained until we sort out the matter in question. The local efforts of gardaí have had an impact on a gang and diluted its power in an area but we are receiving news of increased activities in others. It is vital the Garda tackles this upsurge.

I will also reference community gardaí. I have mentioned high-profile Garda seizures, which are necessary and very welcome, but it is my firm belief more must be done on a community level. Such approaches can be effective in turning vulnerable and young people in particular away from crime. Community policing can play a vital role in efforts and having dedicated gardaí engaging with people in communities demonstrates to the communities that gardaí are there to help them. Community garda activity can show a human face of the Garda Síochána while building trust between the police force and the community.

It is regrettable that community garda numbers have fallen dramatically in recent years. In 2015, for example, there were 58 community gardaí in Limerick and now there are 31. I urge the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to increase these numbers while ensuring community gardaí are visible and approachable in their duties.

There is a sense that there are not enough gardaí on the streets in Limerick. When we had the regeneration programme, it was suggested by Mr. John Fitzgerald that we would need an additional 100 gardaí for the regeneration areas alone. We never got those. The numbers have increased but retirements have brought that number back to where it was. I appeal to the Minister of State and the Garda Commissioner to increase these numbers and show that policing numbers are adequate, so when people ring a local Garda station, they can get an answer and a service that allows them to feel safe and secure in their homes and communities.

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