Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to be associated with the condolences to Senator Timmy Dooley and to Deputy Alan Farrell on the deaths of their fathers.

I offer congratulations to Councillor Ian McGarvey who will be 92 years of age. I met him and Marjory on his 90th birthday. Good health to him for many more years to come.

I submitted a Commencement matter this morning that was not selected, but I really want to air the issue prior to the summer recess. Earlier this week I also highlighted the matter with the Minister for Education. The Duleek area of Meath is in need of a new post-primary school given the rapidly increasing population there. The people of Laytown and Bettystown are also renewing their calls for a 24-7, fit-for-purpose Garda station in that area. These requests from the people of these areas have been growing for some time.

The 2022 census figures show that the need is even more dire than previously thought. With an increase from 2016 to more than 25,000 people in the county, policing has become increasingly stretched. Laytown Garda station is not fit for purpose. We need a new building there and we need a new 24-hour Garda district there to deal with any emergency calls in the area, which are currently dealt with from the Ashbourne district. The distance to be traversed in these instances by gardaí responding to calls can be significant and especially when time is of the essence. The east Meath area has the highest population growth in the county after Navan and this should be acknowledged and reflected in the investment into essential services there. What service is more essential than our gardaí who keep our community safe?

I ask the Deputy Leader if we could have a debate in the Chamber on the national police force in the State, and that Members of the House would take a forensic look into the areas in many of our counties where Garda resources are not fit for purpose and where upgrades are needed.

Before the summer recess, I want to thank the staff, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and all of the staff in the Seanad and throughout the Oireachtas, including the porters, the ushers, the catering staff, the cleaners, and the Library and Research staff. I thank them and I hope they enjoy their summer recess. I thank them for all of the help throughout the year.