Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

The nature of policing is radically changing in this country. There is absolutely no doubt about that. That relationship between citizens and the Garda is actually crumbling. Much of the Garda's authority over decades has been the fact that gardaí have been able to work in partnership with positive relationships with local communities. That has meant the level of difficulties that have come to pass between police and citizens has been relatively low in Ireland compared to other European countries. There has not been the same level of conflict in this State, typically, with the Garda as there can be in certain other countries with their own police forces.

We have seen a significant fall in the number of gardaí over the past number of years. Ireland has the lowest of number of police per capita in the whole of the European Union, and for the past five years, the number of gardaí has fallen significantly. That is even before you take into consideration the population increases that have happened in the State.

In terms of the Garda's footprint right across the country, we know there is a serious problem with the Garda retreating into the big towns and away from small towns. Towns like Ballivor, Longwood, Summerhill, Athboy and Oldcastle in County Meath that had their own functioning Garda station for maybe 100 years now find they are either closed or they have a garda for five hours on a Saturday. That is an absolute disgrace. There are approximately 56 Garda stations under the new figures that do not have an assigned Garda. When you create that situation, it is ripe for complaints, conflict and difficulties. When that relationship between local communities breaks down, it is a major difficulty.

In recent years, we have also seen a significant number of decisions made by the Government that had an authoritarian element to them and affected certain elements of society in a significant way. I am thinking of the fact that Ireland had the most severe restrictions of any European country during the period of Covid when we took civil liberties away from individuals. I remember a picture on television of young people who had been having pints on South William Street being marched off the street by gardaí in full riot gear. It was an incredible situation. We have to improve the numbers and relationship to make sure we do not have a conflict.

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