Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Since the Minister took office, he has placed a significant focus on increased Garda visibility in Dublin city centre, part of which he represents as a constituency TD. His prioritisation of the city centre seems to be working, and I say "well done" on that, but there is the rest of the country and what about the rest of Dublin? It is not the first time I have raised this issue. Communities outside Dublin city centre like mine, the K district, are crying out for more gardaí to tackle low-level crime and antisocial behaviour and much more serious crime too. No community should be left behind but I fear that is what is happening. We need the new local community safety partnerships. Our colleague, the previous Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, drove the Act through the Oireachtas. It was signed into law by the President in February 2024. The first chairs were announced in October.

1 o’clock

The last joint policing committee in Dublin West was over a year ago, so when will the partnerships be fully established and when will more communities see more gardaí?

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