Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom a rá ar dtús go bhfuil Aontú ag díriú isteach le dhá bhliain anuas ar an bhfadhb ollmhór a bhaineann leis an easpa gardaí sa tír seo agus ar na deacrachtaí agus an damáiste atá ag titim amach de bharr na heaspa gardaí. Le linn thréimhse an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, an Teachta McEntee, tá an méid gardaí ag titim bliain i ndiaidh bliana. De bharr sin, táimid ag fáil i bhfad níos mó foréigean i measc an phobail thart timpeall na tíre. Ba mhaith liom a rá freisin go bhfuil an rud céanna ag titim amach ar na bóithre. De bharr go bhfuil líon na ngardaí ag titim bliain i ndiaidh bliana, tá i bhfad níos timpistí ag tarlú agus i bhfad níos mó daoine ag fáil bháis ar na bóithre freisin. Over the last two years Aontú has campaigned solidly around the issue of the lack of gardaí in the State. Ireland is one of the lowest policed states in the whole of the European Union. We have, per capita, one of the lowest numbers of police operating in the State. For the last 14 years this Government has seen a significant fall in the numbers of gardaí. Indeed, since this Minister for Justice took office there has been a fall in the number of gardaí every single year while the population has increased. There is a direct correlation between the lack of gardaí and the significant increase in crime in Ireland. Violent crime, murder, rape, sexual assault, and unprovoked attacks unfortunately are all increasing. Many towns and villages currently are becoming so unsafe that people are not going into those towns and villages at all. There is a significant correlation between the number of gardaí that exist in the State and the number of crimes that are happening. There is also a correlation between the number of gardaí policing the roads and the number of accidents and deaths on the roads. Replies to our parliamentary questions show a 30% decrease in the number of gardaí policing the roads since 2014. This is a shocking and staggering figure. Unfortunately and tragically, we are seeing the results of that on the roads on a weekly basis at the moment.

Much of this is happening because of low Garda morale and low Garda welfare. Gardaí tell me that because there are so few of them, they feel unprotected. We are seeing a massive increase in attacks on gardaí. As a result of this violence directed at gardaí, the number of gardaí who are retiring or resigning is increasing as well. Morale is so low that young people are not joining An Garda Síochána in Templemore in the numbers there should be. This must be dealt with. I believe this Government has been distracted by the culture wars in many ways and has not focused on the bread and butter issues affecting people.

I want to speak directly to this motion. Victims are often forgotten about in the whole process of crime. We need a situation where victims are put front and centre of the criminal justice system. A large number of victims obviously have difficulties in their interaction with An Garda Síochána at the start because of the lack of gardaí numbers, but after the whole process has started they are also being left in the dark with regard to what is actually happening and information around liaison.

I want to raise an issue that has come to light to me in recent times. It involves a small cohort. There are cases where a garda who is dealing with a victim of crime gets accused of a similar crime. There must be some kinds of supports put in place for the victim of that crime. I am aware of a situation where a person suffered significantly. The victim was raped and then heard in the media that the investigating garda was being investigated for an accusation of rape. This is a shocking situation and in those situations we need to make sure there are proper supports for the victim as well.

I understand that I am not alone in my next point and I am sure many Deputies have experienced this before. I refer to the secrecy that often surrounds the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, and investigations by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. The DPP and GSOC need to have integrity for sure, and need to be allowed to do their jobs, but the rationale behind DPP decisions, the lack of decisions or wait times also needs to be provided to victims so they can understand exactly what is happening to their particular cases.

My last point is that the criminal justice system is so slow in this country that it is actually putting further damage onto victims. Victims are suffering for the lack of justice. In other countries, victims have their court cases in the space of a year and they achieve justice within a year. That does not happen in this country, unfortunately.

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