Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

It was a great weekend for my constituency. Both Carlow intermediate and Kilkenny senior camogie teams went on to win the Leinster finals, which was a massive achievement. I am very much involved with both counties and teams, so I wish all of them very well. Commiserations to the Taoiseach on Cork’s harrowing defeat, but I am sure they will bounce back.

Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, particularly in rural constituencies. I welcome the significant increase in gardaí on the beat on Dublin streets. I have noticed this myself. While it is very noticeable, we need to see this filter down to rural communities, towns and villages right around the country, including in places like Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Bagenalstown. We need to see an increased Garda presence in rural towns and villages right around the country.

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