Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, I am not overly impressed with the Minister of State's response. An Garda Síochána says it needs more resources and that this requires political decision but when one raises the issue with political masters they say it is an issue for the Garda Commissioner. The assistant Garda commissioner said that Stepaside Garda station was not a priority yet the Government is proceeding to reopen it.

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, to impress on the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, the seriousness of what is happening in this area in terms of the number of muggings and assaults on young people, leaving them traumatised. I recently sat in the kitchen of the home of one young man traumatised by the ordeal he had to endure, which was a 45 minute assault. It is appalling that the Minister of State's response is that it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide where policing resources are allocated. I suggest that greater emphasis needs to be put on policing in the north Dublin area, with less obsession on the reopening of Stepaside Garda station.