Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Go n-éirí an t-ádh leis an Aire Stáit sa phost nua. I am the wife of a retired member and related to many serving members, so my gratitude and appreciation for the role of An Garda Síochána is unquestionable. Growing up in the Ratoath-Dunshaughlin area of Meath East fadó fadó, Garda Andy Morgan was our weekly visitor to the primary school. He knew us and, more important, we knew him. That sense of guilt, whether you were up to something or not, is probably still ingrained in many of us from more than 50 years ago. It serves to illustrate the importance of the role of the community garda then and now. I will duplicate what colleagues have said regarding the importance of community policing and youth diversion projects. I wish to give a special mention to Garda Kelly, Garda Connor and Garda Fitzpatrick, operating from Duleek Garda station in the Meath-Westmeath division, who are involved in community policing.

Like all other areas, however, we need more gardaí and more collaboration with local authorities on the design of housing estates. Permeability is a buzz word in planning but it can also be a byway to escape routes. When it comes to community security and safety for older residents, the community gardaí know the people concerned and keep an eye out for them with the vulnerable persons register. With regard to increasing resources, I am happy to help and support the Minister of State in whatever way I can.

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