The Laytown district was established in 2008 as a result of the increasing population and the need for a more effective Garda presence in east County Meath which, I understand, is one of the largest districts in the country. A decision was taken by the Government and the Garda authorities to merge the Ashbourne and Laytown districts with effect from 2012, which results in a Garda district stretching from the bridge at Kilcock on the Kildare-Meath border up to the edges of Drogheda in County Louth. It is unacceptable that this should be a one Garda district that facilitates cutbacks in the area, particularly in regard to community policing. There is no direction of resources into areas of high population. The population increases which continue apace have not been recognised. There is no recognition of commuter belt crime which has become prevalent in that county, along the N2 and N3 within the merged Garda districts. It will leave the public more fearful and exposed because the Garda cutbacks have been targeted at the areas where there are no people and more crime.