Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is no more important garda than the community garda in breaking down antisocial behaviour, fostering relationships, breaking down intergenerational distrust and breaking down the distrust that young people and migrant communities tend to have of An Garda Síochána. The Policing Authority spoke today about cuts in community policing. The Minister of State cannot provide me with the figures now. He will get them for me, which is fine, but if a Deputy submits a blunt oral question comparing today with 2019, the answer should be to hand. That said, the Policing Authority believes that a strategic workplace plan is important for the Garda to address issues around community policing. Has the Minister of State read the report? Does he agree with what the authority had to say? Does he believe that the numbers involved in community policing need to be increased? We cannot address antisocial behaviour, anti-migrant sentiment, hate crime, knife crime or any of the other issues constantly raised on the law and order agenda or break down misconceptions about law enforcement and what the State does unless we foster the unique and special relationship between the individual garda and young people, school communities and wider communities.

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