Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last year, I asked the Tánaiste, who was then Taoiseach, to intervene personally to address Garda numbers in Kildare and Laois. Unfortunately, we are back here again. On Wednesday, 21 December, there was a serious issue where a garda was needed. Nobody answered the phone initially and then no car was available to attend from the nearest station. In January, there was an attempted child abduction in the constituency. A female garda was on her own and, again, there was no Garda car. Then, on 7 February, the Garda was called over an incident late at night and, again, no Garda car was available. All these issues relate to the same station and I can supply details if the Tánaiste requires.

This is rural Ireland. It is a disgrace. The Garda numbers must be addressed and proper recruitment and resources dealt with so that people will feel safe in their homes and on the street. Equally, our gardaí must be looked after. Surely we cannot think it is okay to have one garda on her own in a station when somebody rings in with an incident in the current climate. Can I please have the issues addressed urgently?

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