Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister to the House. I wish to make a few general observations about the Garda Síochána. There is an issue about how the Garda does its work. We have a fine complement of gardaí. They are unarmed, which is a testament to their ability, professionalism and integrity. Over the years they have commanded great amounts of respect and that is a testament to the way in which they were managed and how they policed our communities. Unfortunately, a number of incidents in recent years have characterised what a minority of people do when they drink too much. They act the maggot and their behaviour is completely foolish and irresponsible.

There is an issue with regard to the administration ordinary members of the force must undertake. The Minister recently made comments regarding gardaí stationed outside the homes of Ministers or former Taoisigh. The issue relates to the way in which the resources of the Garda Síochána are applied most effectively. How can it be higher priority for gardaí to stand at the gate of a house, where the occupants might leave twice or three times a day, or write up a summons than to police streets or go into schools and speak to young people about the dangers of alcohol? Looking at a better application of resources will result in a more effective use of the force. It might contribute to reducing crime figures.

I want to be parochial about this issue and I hope my point does not seem contradictory. In January 2004, in a village near Dunmanway in west Cork, two gardaí were set upon by a number of youths. They were beaten up while on duty. This happened in a rural area and those gardaí have not yet returned to work. There is a sergeant and four gardaí in Dunmanway. Currently, the sergeant is out sick as a result of the beating he received in January and three of the gardaí are also out sick.

Two weekends ago, two gardaí operating a checkpoint stopped a young driver on suspicion of drink driving. While they questioned the man and attempted to breathalyse him, his girlfriend passed him a knife and he stabbed one of the gardaí and then made off on foot. This happened in a rural town. Those two gardaí are out sick as a result of being injured on duty. That is a frightening experience for anyone. In the same town, on Friday night of last week, two gardaí intercepted a group of 17 year olds bush drinking in a field. A garda was injured apprehending one of the youths.

An issue arises from this which has a more immediate effect on the community. There is a delay in replacing a long-standing retirement or a recent transfer and also in replacing personnel who have gone out sick in the course of their duty this year. I will probably communicate the matter in greater detail to the Minister's Department.

We held a meeting in Dunmanway last night on the problem of under-age drinking. This issue is not specific to one town; it ripples through every town and village in the county. A Garda chief superintendent was at the meeting. I made a point about the shortfall in the numbers of gardaí and he replied that he does not have the personnel to replace people who are out sick.

I want to nail a myth in certain circles of the media that try to make an issue of something that does not necessarily exist. Tabloid journalism grossly exaggerates what happens from time to time. The reality needs to be dealt with in terms of proper policing and personnel. This comes back to the commitment of 2,000 extra gardaí. I welcome the announcement, but I want to ask the Minister a number of questions on the matter. I presume the idea was well researched, costed and thought out. Will the Minister confirm that is the case? I also want clarification about the capacity of the training college in Templemore to deal with the 2,000 extra gardaí, however they are phased in. That figure is on top of the normal intake which takes place three or four times per annum. These are extra gardaí. My understanding is the rates of retirement and recruitment were barely breaking even, so we need extra gardaí. I would like to hear the Minister's view on this point.

In my town, an ordinary dwelling house functions as a temporary Garda station. The situation is wholly unsatisfactory. The upgrade of the existing station was announced a number of times in the past three years, but it has not happened. In this day and age it is unsatisfactory that people must present themselves to a private household without wheelchair access or cells and where the environment is not conducive to a Garda station. It is unacceptable and I expect the matter to be looked at urgently.

Senator Brennan spoke about the unfortunate and sad event in Adare when Detective Garda Jerry McCabe lost his life. Will the Minister reaffirm that the killers will remain in jail and serve the sentences handed down for this despicable act?