Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Taoiseach in respect of policing reform whether reducing paperwork for rank and file members of An Garda Síochána is a priority. I know from interaction with local gardaí, particularly in the Coolock district, which is the second busiest station in the country, that they are burdened with increasing levels of paperwork. Fianna Fáil has pushed over many years for the reduction of the paperwork burden on members of An Garda Síochána in stations so we can get them out onto the streets to provide a visible Garda presence, which operates as a deterrent, on one hand, and a comfort to our citizens on the other.

Having listened to gardaí and having listened in to the Garda Representative Association conference last week, I am concerned we have gone backwards. We have slipped back and an increased level of paperwork is required of members of An Garda Síochána.

There is a serious commitment in the programme for Government to ramp up Garda numbers, which will help, but it is no use if they are all tied up with paperwork. We need to make a big effort. While they need somewhere to base themselves, they also need the paperwork burden lifted from them. That is really important.

It is proposed that a new divisional headquarters to replace Coolock Garda station, which has long outlived its usefulness and which needs to be taken out of commission, be built at Northern Cross.

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