Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Garda morale is at an all-time low. There is no Garda leadership in this country. Garda stations have been closed. Crime is on the rise in our cities and in the countryside and people are feeling in danger. This was the case well before the outbreak of this recent mindless crime in Dublin, when our capital city was in grave danger. I saw this situation for myself. There were shocking scenes by night and the Minister was in complete denial. Ministers are pointing at far-right people who caused these crimes. This is Ministers and politicians in denial and trying to point the finger of blame at someone else instead of the lunatics it should be pointed at. One Monday, a few months ago, the Minister asked people to come to our capital and said it was a safe place to come to. Just a few days later, she was allocating millions of euro to the Garda force in Dublin to tackle the crisis and safeguard the people who live in or visit our capital city.

I would have much preferred if this motion concerned the Garda Commissioner, as the buck has to lie on his lap in respect of what goes on in relation to crime in this country. He has failed miserably. He does not have the confidence of the members of his own Garda force. It is easy to see why, after watching the scenes nearly two weeks ago, where members of An Garda Síochána were disgracefully kicked around Dublin. This Garda force needs strong leadership, and confidence at this time is at an all-time low in its leadership. I also have serious concerns about the numbers of extra gardaí being moved to Dublin. These gardaí must be coming from rural communities, thereby leaving these communities wide open to crime.

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