Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. This is a complex Bill to which there are many moving parts. There is a significant change involved here, with the Government seeking to completely replace the Garda Síochána Act 2005 with the legislation before us. While we are supportive of the Bill, it is important to note that it is not without its critics. I know that matter will be discussed on Committee Stage.

One focus of Sinn Féin's submission in 2018 was the need for reform of community policing. Restoring the number of community gardaí back to 2010 levels was one key suggestion.

They are key figures when it comes to a community-based approach to policing and their absence is notable in many communities across Dublin. In the Dublin metropolitan region, the number of community gardaí has almost halved from the 510 who were in place in 2009. In my constituency, Dublin Bay North, there are 22 fewer community gardaí than there were a decade ago. We all agree that a good community garda can make a fantastic difference to our areas.

This did not happen by chance. It represents a policy shift that has left communities without much-needed resources for too long. It is also the reality of a force that is facing a recruitment and retention crisis, and we need to get a handle on that. We need to get on top of the reasons gardaí are exiting the force. The Garda Representative Association stated earlier this week that it is witnessing a new wave of young trained gardaí resign rather than serve in certain parts of Dublin. As I think we all agree, that is damning.

We just have to look at the appalling scenes in Ballyfermot the other day, but this is not unique to Ballyfermot. We have all seen the increase in antisocial behaviour in all our communities. In my community, people are being intimidated daily. There is open drug dealing and there is the issue of scrambler bikes running rampant around residential areas, as can be seen throughout the city. In my constituency, three people were seriously injured by those on scrambler bikes. Please God, there will not be any more, but I will not hold my breath. I see these bikes being driven daily in packs on main roads, zigzagging in and out of traffic and up on one wheel. I acknowledge that the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is on Committee Stage in the Seanad, but I plead with the Minister to get that passed as a matter of urgency.

My party colleague, Deputy Martin Kenny, will bring forward a number of amendments on Committee Stage. I hope the Minister will be open to suggestions in that regard. This is important legislation that will oversee the Garda for decades, so it is vital that we get it right.

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