Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleague, Senator Mullins, in his call to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality here to discuss the recently announced Operation Thor and other recent positive announcements by the Department. Although there is a major problem with burglaries, I have a feeling it is being somewhat overplayed and the very negative incidents that occur throughout the country are less frequent than perceived. When I canvass at the doors, I get the impression that there is a perception that residents are unsafe in their homes because of stories they hear. That is a real feeling for them. Senator Mullins mentioned Garda visibility and that is something I feel strongly about. We need to have a lot more of these new gardaí visible on the streets, both in the cities and in suburban areas. If gardaí are seen around the place, it is a deterrent. Given that there have been closures of Garda stations, whatever one might have to say about that which could involve a big debate, if they are not going to be sitting in Garda stations I believe strongly that there should be a greater police presence. Even if gardaí were to go into estates once a day and that there would be some sort of a rota system whereby they would be seen to be around the place, it would be a positive move.

There is a related matter that has been brought to my attention by a few people recently and I have done a little work on it. I have researched the law in the United Kingdom when it comes to the possession of a knife on one's person. As far as I am concerned, there is practically no justifiable reason for carrying a knife outside of one's home. Perhaps a butter knife for sandwiches or a Stanley knife would be acceptable.