Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a very important issue with regard to an incident which happened in my hometown of Dundalk. I am sure the Minister is aware that a video showing a cyclist being deliberately knocked off his bicycle in Dundalk by a motorist who recorded the incident has gone viral. You can hear the driver laughing as he deliberately clips the cyclist before speeding away from the scene. The cyclist was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. While the kind-hearted people of Dundalk have set up a GoFundMe account that raised almost €1,000 within hours to help this man, something needs to be done on two fronts with regard to this matter, namely, tackling antisocial behaviour and the use of phones while driving.

Acts of violence and antisocial behaviour are completely unacceptable. I imagine that the Minister is aware of the effects crime and antisocial behaviour can have on the quality of life of all communities. The safety and security of the public in Dundalk are important matters that must be managed. The recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda members and an additional 400 Garda staff in 2023 and the €2.14 billion allocated in budget 2023 are definitely welcome. I acknowledge the great work done by the Garda in Dundalk and across the north east.

Existing legislation is available to the Garda to tackle antisocial behaviour, including the public order Acts and the reduction-in-assault strategy, which includes advertising on social media with regard to the consequences of perpetrating an assault on another person. However, ongoing enforcement operations must be put in place that are aimed to tackle antisocial behaviour to reassure the public Dundalk is a safe place to live and work. I ask the Minister to give assurances that the Government will address this issue. We have a collective responsibility to make our communities safe for all. What additional measures can the Government introduce to protect the many vulnerable people affected by antisocial behaviour?

I am sure the Minister realises that we need the Garda more than ever. As stated, I welcome the allocation in the budget. However, gardaí are not happy. I have spoken to many gardaí. This week, 92 new members started training in Templemore. Why only 92? The Garda is having serious issues in the context of pay and conditions, pensions, paperwork, rostering and antisocial working hours. In view of recent assaults on gardaí, when will members of the force be trained in the use of body cameras? Gardaí are like everybody else in that they are also suffering on foot of the increase in the cost of living. Members are being told that the only way to get a good pension is to invest in additional voluntary contributions or to be promoted quickly.

When an incident happens, the first people on the scene are gardaí. We have to make sure our gardaí are being looked after and trained properly but there is a bad feeling in the Garda at present. I met many gardaí in the aftermath of the recent incident in Dundalk. I could not believe the level of their frustration. Whether it is the Minister for Justice or some other Minister, can reassurance be given to gardaí that the Government has full faith in them and that they will be given proper training, that they will be protected and that they will have access to the necessary facilities?

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