Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I listened to the contributions of Senators Norris and O'Loughlin and they spoke about Joyce in Irish literature and how international Joyce is. We heard discussions about Zurick, Trieste and Paris. It is worth noting that Joyce was a UCD graduate and that the Museum of Literature Ireland, MoLi, as part of UCD has programme plans for this year, including an interactive programme that needs to be acknowledged. Part of that international expanse of Joyce and his influence are the links MoLi have developed with the University of Buffalo in New York. In particular, that university has a very strong Joyce collection. One of the strongest advocates of links between Ireland and the United States in celebrating that Joyce collection is New York State Senator Tim Kennedy from Buffalo. We need to look at the extent to which our literature influences and shapes international discussion. I would join everybody else in saying that this is a great day to be able to celebrate the centenary of Ulysses.

I also wish to raise the issue of Garda numbers. I tried to raise the issue by way of a Commencement matter but was advised that as it is an operational matter, it was not possible to do so. According to figures for the end of last year, in the Wexford -Wicklow Garda division currently there are 333 gardaí based in Wexford and 306 based in Wicklow. Traditionally, and historically, those have always been low numbers. Taking account of comparable counties in terms of size, Tipperary has 398 gardaí, Waterford has 372 and Kerry has 351. Along with the fact that there are fewer gardaí in Wexford there is also the challenge of the expansion of Rosslare Europort. Rosslare has had a good Brexit but that places additional resource pressures on the Garda and customs. That comes from the existing Garda base and it is something about which the chief superintendent has asked. I also ask that the Leader raises with the Minister for Justice the concern regarding the low numbers of gardaí in counties Wicklow and Wexford, and particularly the fact that the increased numbers must be diverted to Rosslare.