Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has stated that the number of armed detectives in the Cavan-Monaghan region has been cut by half. No new detective has been appointed in the past 12 years. There are still many serious threats to the security of the State. Criminals are aware of the problems within the Garda Síochána and are aware of the lack of gardaí being appointed. They are targeting particular areas of the country. In the past six weeks my shop and others have been cased by such criminals. There will be a serious crime epidemic in the next six months unless something is done and the gardaí get the resources necessary to tackle increasing crime. In six months' time, I do not want the Minister to come into this House and say that we are tackling it. I want it tackled now, because crime and drugs will be prevalent in our constituencies unless we get those 2,000 gardaí promised at the last general election.