Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My thoughts are with Thomas Niland who was a victim of a horrific attack in his home. As there is an active Garda investigation under way, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment in detail on the specific case, but I believe I speak for all in the House in sincerely hoping he makes a full recovery. I join with the Garda in appealing for any person who noticed anything unusual in the wider N59 Skreen locality to contact An Garda Síochána with information.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister, Deputy McEntee launched the next phase of Garda recruitment today, continuing the increase in the strength of the Garda force and its resources. The issue of the armed support unit for Sligo is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but as the Deputy has raised it here today, I will raise it with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I agree that we need to look at the bail issue again. We passed a referendum in Ireland 20 years ago to tighten our bail laws. For whatever reason, that has not happened in practice. We need to examine that again.

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