Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I talk to the gardaí in my county and engage with them at every level, from the new recruits coming into our county to the highest level, our chief superintendent. I understand that what we need is more gardaí. We also need to make sure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, whether that is through capital investment or investment in vehicles, handheld devices, CCTV or body-worn cameras, in respect of which we are bringing through legislation. All of these help measures gardaí respond to the issues the Deputy has just raised.

I have met with many businesses and community members. As recently as Friday, I met with members of An Garda Síochána and members of the local authority to look at ways in which we can support the work of An Garda Síochána. To go back to my previous point, dealing with community safety is not just about An Garda Síochána. It is also about working with the local authorities, education, the youth diversion programmes, the community groups and businesses. That is the approach that needs to be taken, not just in our own county but across the board. I assure the Deputy that Garda numbers are my number one priority in my engagement with the Garda Commissioner. I have every confidence that Meath will receive the increase it deserves, as will other counties.

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