Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are lots of jokers here too.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of the tragic event in Lucan where the body of a man was discovered in the passenger seat of a car. I do not have the full information regarding the tragic events that took place in Lucan last night but An Garda Síochána is conducting a full investigation. I assure Senator Ardagh that the Government is committed to resourcing An Garda Síochána to tackle any form of criminality and crime. I remind her that this is why €1.76 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote, with an increase to €1.82 billion in 2020. This is why the Government increased capital investment in An Garda Síochána to the tune of €92 million and why we reopened the Garda college in Templemore and are hiring more gardaí. That is why, with Commissioner Drew Harris, we have produced the plan, A Policing Service for the Future.Notwithstanding the challenges facing An Garda Síochána, the Government has introduced three pieces of legislation, including proceeds of crime and criminal justice legislation, and has supported the armed support unit and a special Garda crime task force. It is important we get the facts for Senator Ardagh. On the issue of the parents in Dublin 12, I will be happy for the Minister to come to the House on the matter.

Senators Craughwell, Feighan, McFadden, Hopkins and Wilson referred to the Defence Forces in a myriad of ways, in particular to the emergency aeromedical service, EAS, which was raised by Senator McFadden as a Commencement matter today. The Minister of State in his reply assured the House, and in particular Senator McFadden, that the EAS, operated by the Air Corps, will continue to operate out of Custume Barracks in Athlone. I remind Senator Craughwell that this service was not in place before Fine Gael came into government in 2011. Let me make it quite clear to Senator Craughwell that rather than playing politics with a particular situation, he would be well-served to listen to the wise counsel of Senator Wilson.