Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is unfortunate that we have a scenario where I am being heckled. That is an increase and a good news story which has to be acknowledged.

I acknowledge the work members of An Garda Síochána are doing on the ground. Sometimes we do not acknowledge them enough or the work their families do. Every time they put on their boots and go out the door, they do not know what will happen. They do a significant job for the State and we have to acknowledge that and the amount of work they do.

I thank An Garda Síochána and the other services involved in the seizure of a significant amount of drugs in my part of the world in recent days. The figures are quite alarming. The interagency co-operation was helpful but also shone a light on a gap in that relationship, namely, in the area of Naval Service recruitment. We have only two ships available to the State. Very important work was done yesterday. We must examine this issue. There are 755 members of the Naval Service. We will recruit more gardaí this year than we have members of the Naval Service. That is a huge issue if we are to have an interconnection between all our State agencies relating to the transportation of cocaine, especially in Irish seas. To have an effective programme that ensures all agencies can work together, do we need to have the recruitment we have seen to An Garda Síochána also happen in the Naval Service? The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence should come before the House to discuss that issue. We have two ships available to go to sea. The massive drugs haul off the south-east coast yesterday makes me think there is more to be got at sea. Imagine the potential we would have to catch what is required if we had a full flotilla of Naval Services vessels available.