Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is difficult to make a point when there are constant interruptions. In any event, in preparing a capital plan, and regarding the resources reasonably expected to be available to An Garda Síochána, at times certainly, what we have seen in the recent past has been that additional resources are needed for certain periods but may not be needed throughout the year. This is something to be factored in regarding being flexible concerning the capital plan. The nature of this has changed in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. Policing has changed and the nature of the resources required have changed as well. People's expectations have also changed, as have the challenges in the State.

In terms of preparing a capital plan, if the Garda Commissioner is to have regard to those "resources reasonably expected to be available", again this can be quite a subjective term. I accept it is normal language to be used in the course of a Bill. It would be important to hear from the Minister that those resources will be available to allow the capital plan to deal with the needs of the nation. This will be not just in terms of the cities and the bigger towns, but also the regions. I labour this point, as I have made it before. There is a concern in rural communities because resources, at times, are not always to the level we would like them to be, despite significant efforts and a commitment from the Government to meet those needs, and in developing these national plans, these rural areas are afraid they will play second fiddle to the bigger urban areas. This is notwithstanding and acknowledging the fact that, of course, there are different challenges in the capital and in our cities and towns and there are probably higher levels of incidents that the Garda needs to respond to.

In developing national plans, it is important rural areas can be assured that the resources made available will be made available for them also and that there is equity, taking into account the needs and demands of those areas, in the distribution of resources and that the capital plan will reflect this. It is important to put this on the record in the debate on this Bill because when it is being interpreted, beyond when it passes the Oireachtas, the debates will be looked at in respect of what Members intended on the day. It is important, therefore, to discuss sections and amendments and it is important Members have an opportunity to have their say. Suggestions that Members' contributions are not to a standard that others would like is again not a point I think it is fair to make.