Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Darragh O'Brien's amendment to the Order of Business. The Senator has raised an issue that will not go away. Anybody who is in touch with ordinary folk will know how much such a debate matters to them. People throughout Ireland, especially older people, do not feel the security they deserve to feel in their own country in terms of proper policing in their community. I realise, as does every other Member, the pressure there is on the Exchequer, but effective policing in terms of the role of the Garda Síochána operating effectively is something we cannot do without and we must not tolerate any failure on the Government's part to ensure we have a proper police service in our country.

I note, for example, that in the Galway City Tribune last Friday, Denise McNamara wrote about marauding gangs of thieves creating palpable fear and a growing sense of unease among residents in Galway city despite burglaries levelling off. At other times I would say that the media is given to exaggeration but we know there is not exaggeration on this issue. In Salthill recently a gang gathered in a particular area only a 100 yards from the Garda station but no garda was in a position to arrive and investigate when notified. There is a real problem when we do not have a visible Garda presence and effective Garda patrol in areas. We need to keep the pressure on the Minister for Justice and Equality.

In signalling support for our Garda Síochána, the excellent work its members do and how much we need them, I would like to hear from the Minister about a problem that sometimes occurs when gardaí talk to the media. I have huge sympathy with our colleague in the other House, Deputy Clare Daly, about the way she was treated recently.