Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)

Recently, we were told that 20 new gardaí are being appointed into Limerick city, where they are much needed. How many can the Minister give me in the county as well? County Limerick is a big place, with 40 sq miles per Garda station. There is Bruff Garda station and a new Garda station at Newcastle West. When the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, talks about recruits, he says that 200 are going in and 200 will come out. According to the last statistic before he became Minister, we had 400 going in and only 145 or 150 coming out. I am delighted the Minister is confident that 200 are going in and 200 are coming out. How many will be replacements for retirements? How many gardaí will we actually get on the ground? The Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, came out last week and had a go at me about putting city against county. I am not. I am looking for equality for city and county. The protectors who are in the Minister's remit are needed in the county and the city. How many are going to come in to replace the retirements? How many gardaí are we actually going to get?

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