Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this all-important issue and I thank Fianna Fáil for bringing forward this Private Members' business. I welcome the fact that the budget for justice has increased by almost 20% since 2020. This is most welcome. Only this morning, I raised the fact with our own Leader that the Garda Commissioner had announced recently that a Garda station for Castletroy in Limerick would be included in the capital budget between 2025 and 2040. This is most welcome because it is something on which I have been campaigning and about which I have spoken to the Minister on several occasions. I am glad the Department listened because it is one of the fastest-growing urban areas on the periphery of the city and is almost a town. Therefore, it is welcome news that the Office of Public Works, OPW, has been charged with finding a proper location for this Garda station. I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for that.

On the numbers of gardaí being up, I see we have passed laws to help put more gardaí on the street but we need to go even further and provide more. We have a lot of emphasis on training and upskilling on the whole education side of it. How can we encourage members of the public to join An Garda Síochána? I think there are many people who would like to join. On the other hand, how can we train people to take up the desk job and to take over the office work to allow gardaí out on the street? That is one thing I would like to see happening more. However, it is very welcome news that the numbers of gardaí being recruited are up and I know more will be graduating within the next month. One of my own neighbours was on the programme in Templemore and found it very worthwhile and fulfilling. I wish the new cohort who will graduate in a couple of weeks all the very best. They go out there and do a wonderful job in keeping us safe. We experienced it here only last week with what went on with the protesters and saw how An Garda Síochána played a pivotal role in making sure there were little or no incidents. There were a number of arrests.

On the international and national stage, Senator Dolan referred to the issue of drugs and addiction, I have seen first hand the role that community gardaí play in working with youths who are possibly out of control but yet the gardaí go out playing football with them and getting engaged with them to gain that level of respect. When the gardaí interact with youngsters, it helps to get them on the straight and narrow. I am involved in a community centre and the community gardaí certainly play a pivotal role in ensuring youngsters and other people in the community, are sent in the right direction. They put them on programmes and refer them if necessary to addiction programmes. I want to compliment the men and women out there who are members of An Garda Síochána and who do a wonderful job on a daily basis.

Overall, I compliment the fact that investment is up. There is a lot happening. There is the whole body-worn cameras discussion on which we had a debate here yesterday when I was in the Chair. This is something that will help gardaí to carry out their work in a safe environment.It is about giving them confidence as well. Morale in the force was down for a while. People were not being very nice to members of An Garda Síochána. They were abusing gardaí when they turned up to deal with an incident. Everything we can do to support An Garda Síochána is important. Overall, I compliment everything happening in the area of justice.