Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion and commend the Regional Group on bringing it forward. In particular, I support the call to increase the number of gardaí in the State to 16,000 by 2028. In May this year, I was informed that the Laois-Offaly divisional drug unit of An Garda Síochána has the lowest number of Garda members assigned to it compared to every other county and Garda division in the State. I have raised this in the Chamber. It was also confirmed to me that just one Garda member is assigned to the Laois-Offaly divisional drug unit, which is extremely concerning. That is a single garda for counties with a combined population of 150,000. Why is it that Laois-Offaly is the only constituency in the entire country with just one garda assigned to this particular role? Apart from Wexford, we are also the only counties without any member at sergeant rank attached to its drug unit and this is entirely unacceptable. There are 332 members assigned to various divisional drug units, yet here we are with just member assigned in Laois-Offaly. I want answers on this and I would be grateful if I could get that clarity as a matter of urgency.

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