Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With respect, the Minister did not answer my questions. Certainly, this issue did not start around last Thursday afternoon. We know about these issues in the Garda concerning morale, recruitment and retention that have been building for so long. There was a lack of gardaí on the ground, not just last Thursday night but also for some time before that. Gardaí had to rely on WhatsApp to call on colleagues to come into town last Thursday. We have seen issues such as policing in Dublin being run on overtime for some time and policing nationwide being run on a shoestring by gardaí who feel they do not have the legitimate and requisite supports. It is not good enough. I asked the Minister whether the Commissioner had offered to resign, and I ask her again.

We believe there must be accountability and adequate support for gardaí. When the barricades come down around Leinster House and the temporary measures in place for December have ended, what will be done to ensure adequate supports for gardaí? What measures will the Minister and Commissioner take on this? Are they going to increase the training pay for gardaí? It is simply unacceptable that trainees do not get the full starting salary. We call on the Minster to encourage more gardaí to join the force and provide the necessary support and the necessary reassurance to the public to ensure this issue will not arise again. What is the Minister doing to reassure us that our streets can be safe, not just in Dublin but also across the country?

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