Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

That is what is happening. Many years ago, gardaí would be on the street and would know what was happening before it even happened. That is no longer the case. We need to return to proactive community policing.

In 2023, the Garda Representative Association voted no confidence in the Commissioner. A total of 98% voted no confidence. I recently met the Commissioner at Mayo County Council. I asked him what has happened in management of An Garda Síochána to address the issues. Nothing has happened since that vote of no confidence. Is it any wonder we have a recruitment and retention crisis when we will not listen to gardaí?

A garda in my constituency retired recently after decades of service and it was not even acknowledged by senior management. He had no exit interview. If the Government had bothered to listen to him, it would realise what is happening. Perhaps we would not need TikTok videos and the waste of time with gardaí dancing and prancing around. Let us address the actual issues. That is what is happening. No amount of TikTok and spin will address the issues. Gardaí are talking. They are telling young recruits and other young people, including their sons, daughters and cousins, that it is not a job for the future. It is getting worse.

I am pleading with the Minister of State to listen to gardaí, find out why 98% have no confidence in the Commissioner and address the issues with increased bureaucracy and pay and conditions. Then, perhaps, we will reach the programme for Government target that states we will have 1,000 extra gardaí every year. However, at the moment it is not going to happen.

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