Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 19 Members who spoke for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senators Catherine Ardagh and Diarmuid Wilson referred to the issue of crime. I commend and congratulate members of An Garda Síochána on their extraordinarily courageous work in the apprehending of individuals and the carrying out of successful drug crime operations in Ashbourne. It is wonderful that they have put so many people away and decommissioned such an amount of drugs. The work being carried out by An Garda Síochána shows that Operation Thor has been a success. I agree with Senator Catherine Ardagh that there is obviously a need for a greater police presence on the ground. As she knows quite well, the Garda College in Templemore, the closure of which was supported by Senator Terry Leyden, was reopened by the previous Government.