Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin is broadly in favour of this Bill. It includes major changes in the structures of An Garda Síochána and it is complex, to say the least. Moving from districts to divisions is a significant step which will see changes among the rank and file and in respect of some duties, functions and supports in each division. However, I am from County Wexford, as is the Minister of State. It is a county that has a large rural hinterland. I feel there is a shift in the model of community policing, which at present has only 12 community gardaí in the Wexford Garda division to cover a population of almost 150,000. In 2010, the number of community gardaí in Wexford was 24. That amounts to a halving of the number of community gardaí in the county over a ten-year period. There is no doubt that this has the potential to leave rural communities without their community-based policing. How can we expect half the number of personnel to cover the same large area?

I know the gardaí are undermanned. They cannot fight crime without a stronger force or proper funding. People in rural Ireland have seen their credit unions, small bank branches, post offices, small schools and local Garda stations close. We seem to be bent on forcing people from the countryside into large urban areas. The small village is the cornerstone of the community in rural Ireland. Will the Minister of State give a commitment today that a change from districts to divisions will not result in further loss of resources from these rural areas?

I wish to raise one other point. We hear of many reports from front-line workers and NGOs on the increase of domestic violence during the pandemic and as we emerge from it. I urge the Minister of State to remember that this is as much a threat in rural areas as it is in urban areas. Sometimes, the large travel distance to reach a Garda station is a deterrent to report a crime. Community gardaí are often the first or the only opportunity for victims to reach out for help. This needs to be kept in mind when resourcing decisions are being made.

Overall, we welcome this Bill and hope the Minister of State will take on board the concerns we have raised.

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