Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am always interested in what Senator Gilroy has to say, particularly if he is justifying the Government's inaction in providing resources and pay rates for new and existing gardaí. A member of the Garda representative body said on the national airwaves earlier that gardaí have to sleep in their cars at a time we have to listen to all this propaganda from the Government along the lines of "Live horse and you will get grass". It makes for hollow reading.

It is an absolute indictment of the Government that those who uphold law and order and do a job that most people would shy away from are not only finding that they have inadequate resources to carry out their duties on behalf of all us in order that we can sleep in our beds safely, but they are unable to sleep in proper accommodation because they do not have enough money. I ask that the Minister for Justice and Equality come before the House at the earliest opportunity to outline, in the context of the brand new Jerusalem we have been hearing about from all those on the Government side, what she will do for the Garda. Will the Government parties provide more resources? A rank and file garda in County Monaghan said on radio earlier that he was one of only two members operating out of a station. He or his partner were the only people manning the patrol car and it can take them up to 45 minutes to get to the scene of a crime within their own district. If that is joined up thinking and progressive government, then God help this country. We should have a debate on the Government's proposals for the money it has found and will expend to buy the election next year-----