Jimmy Harte (Labour)

I congratulate the Special Olympics team, many of whom come from Donegal. They have done the country and every county proud. Every medal is a marvellous achievement and they won 107. I join with other Members in congratulating them.

I want to raise an issue which was front page news in the Derry Journal today, which is robberies in Inishowen - which has a population of 33,000 - in County Donegal over the past week and I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to make a statement on the matter. Around this time last year, eight people died in a tragic car crash on the peninsula. In fairness to the authorities, a large number of gardaí were mobilised in response to carry out speed checks. When asked, gardaí came out in force after the tragedy in question to monitor speed on the roads and set up checkpoints. In light of the considerable local reaction to a number of robberies at the weekend and in previous weeks, will the Minister make a statement on the Garda resources available in Inishowen and the rest of County Donegal? As I stated, the local news this morning focused on the fear people are experiencing in rural areas as well as towns where businesses have been broken into. I do not know if the Garda believes the attacks are being carried out by a single gang but the break-ins seem to be targeted at obtaining cash. I ask the Leader to request that the Minister make a statement on recent events in Inishowen.