Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

First, this is a Government that is plainly weak on crime and weak on the causes of crime, to borrow the British Labour Party's mantra. The Government and the Minister for Justice have been distracted by the culture wars and have forgotten about the bread-and-butter issues that are currently affecting so many people in this country. In my county of Meath, there is a stretch from Enfield to Oldcastle to Nobber on which only six gardaí are available on a Saturday night. The nearest back-up garda is located 40 minutes away from them. That leaves those gardaí incredibly exposed in dealing with the difficulties they have. The Government needs to state clearly that those who purposely injure a garda will see time in jail, that is, a custodial sentence. There must be a minimum sentence for those who attack or physically harm a garda. Second, we need to ensure the terms, conditions and pay of gardaí will improve to make the job attractive in order that young men and women will take up posts in the force. Until those two things are done, we will see this crisis continue in communities throughout the country.

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