Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I second the amendment moved by my party leader this morning.

As regards overseas development aid, the Taoiseach made clear commitments not only to the United Nations but to the social partners. There was also a very clear commitment in the programme for Government. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, said it was not a promise. The Government cannot have it both ways. It cannot on the one hand make a commitment to a number of high profile groups to fulfil its obligations in this area and, on the other hand, get the Minister of State, after only a few days in office, to do its dirty work and announce that it was not an electoral promise. I would like clarity on that matter.

Regarding the recruitment of 2,000 gardaí, there has been a debate in recent days which suggests that given the rate of annual retirement and intake in Templemore, it would be physically impossible to increase the number of gardaí by 2,000. Crime is largely confined to urban areas but the weekend before last in Dunmanway, a rural town 40 miles from Cork city, two gardaí were stabbed. Two members from the same station were viciously attacked by a gang in a village last Christmas. This station is short-staffed because of a number of retirements and transfers and the events I described are quite clearly the reverberations of the absence of Garda manpower in rural towns which is taking its toll. I would like a statement from the Leader regarding the possibility of getting the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House for a debate on the issue.