Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply, and I commend the Garda. I have noticed more gardaí on the streets in Offaly and across the country recently. That visibility has a real and positive impact. It helps people feel safer, builds community trust and serves as a strong deterrent to crime. With that in mind, I ask the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs to consider the specific needs of smaller rural towns like Banagher, Daingean, Clara and other towns across Offaly and the country.

While these towns are assigned gardaí, in practice officers are often drawn away to larger population centres, leaving little or no regular presence locally. More consistent Garda presence in these smaller towns would significantly improve community confidence and security.

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