Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know that. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

There are a lot of amendments and changes that need to be made. Some of them are here, and some are missing. We can have all the amendments, Bills and legislation that we like, but we do not have basic numbers of members of An Garda Síochána. We should cut out the spin and the announcements of how many gardaí are being recruited because we all accept it has been more difficult to recruit gardaí to Templemore. We all accept that we must have people from diverse backgrounds and we have some of them, which is great to see. However, we must all accept the retirement situation and the situation regarding illness and injury. Unfortunately, we condemn any injury of a member of An Garda Síochána. Two excellent gardaí in the Cahir district are seriously injured at the moment as a result of violent attacks. That is reprehensible and totally unacceptable, but they should not have to visit dangerous people on their own with no backup. It is an alarming situation. All Members will find out, if they go canvassing in November as expected, or in January or February, that people are afraid in their homes and will not open the doors and gates. They have locked their gates and everything else. The people in the towns are afraid too. The situation is very concerning.

I raise the situation regarding the number of times that certain individuals - hundreds or thousands of them - get free legal aid. They get it repeatedly. There should be a "three strikes and out" approach. I know there is a right to innocence, a fair trial and a defence, but anyone who visits a court on a given day will see the same people at the same time. It is the same all over the country.

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