Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and wish to focus on a particular part of it. He said, "CCTV schemes certainly have a part to play in the detection of antisocial behaviour and criminality, but of paramount importance is a visible and responsive policing service". He then referred to the fact that: "the Government is determined to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources to deliver highly mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities". I have already outlined an example of where the CCTV scheme worked in Manorhamilton, where it was a strong and effective aid to the Garda. There is no doubt among the Garda or the community that without its presence, the culprit would have got away with his crime. The problem is resources. For example, at the recent police meeting, we were informed of the figures the Minister of State has mentioned here in regard to the additional new gardaí coming on stream. Five of these will be allocated to Sligo, but none to Leitrim, which is a predominantly rural county. The reason is that the five gardaí will be on probation for some time and must go to a centre that has the facilities and structures in place to monitor their progress and help them become more effective as gardaí. However, in the context of the 550 additional gardaí this is not much help to the people of County Leitrim.

I hope that as Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora and as a rurally based Deputy, Deputy Deenihan will put pressure on Government colleagues to ensure that rural areas where Garda stations have been closed down will get what the Minister of State has said they will get, a visible and responsive policing service. However, I am disappointed that is not the case as far as my county is concerned.