Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The rioting and violent disorder we saw in Dublin last week was a disgrace and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I want to commend all Garda members for their quick and effective response in restoring order to the city. A high visibility policing plan which operated over the weekend ensured order was maintained and this will continue.

As the Deputy is aware, it is the role of the Garda Commissioner to determine and manage policing strategies and he has the Government’s full support in that crucial work. I meet with the Commissioner to assess what more can be done to support An Garda Síochána, either through additional resources, policy or legislation.

I am informed that, as of 27 November 2023, a total of 48 arrests have been made in the city since Thursday. It should be noted by the Deputy that this is operational data and as such is subject to change.

I am also assured by the Garda Commissioner that Gardaí are conducting a detailed investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding the violent public disorder in Dublin on Thursday night. As this investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any specifics. The Commissioner has also appointed an Assistant Commissioner to conduct an operational debrief on the Garda response.

For my part I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed, and to introducing tough new laws, to ensure that Dublin and Ireland are safe places to live, work and visit. Budget 2024 provides an unprecedented budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. Earlier this year I announced a further €10 million for Garda overtime in Dublin. This additional allocation is being spent, to provide consistent high visibility policing in the capital.

I acknowledge that we need more Garda members in our communities. Recruitment is now gathering momentum. Numbers in Templemore continue to increase, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. 135 trainees entered the training college in February, 154 entered in May, 174 entered in July, and another 177 entered the college last month, the largest intake since Covid. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December, putting us on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.

I am committed to putting in place the conditions to improve recruitment and retention. As part of Budget 2024, I've increased the training allowance paid to trainees, which is now €305 per week. We are also increasing the maximum age of recruitment from 35 to 50.

I have also provided resources to ensure that Garda members have the equipment they need to deliver an effective policing service. The rollout of mobile devices is complete, giving Garda members real-time access to apps, eliminating paperwork and allowing them to carry out their frontline duties far more efficiently. As part of Budget 2024, funding was provided for 2,500 units of body armour. There are over 3,400 vehicles in the Garda fleet. This is the largest ever Garda fleet in operation and represents an increase of more than a 30% increase since 2015.

An additional €4.4 million was recently allocated for the purchase of 95 extra Garda cars and vans by the end of this year, including 17 public order Garda vans which will be deployed in our towns and cities across the country to provide further reassurance for people, businesses and communities. It also includes 38 new fully electric patrol cars and 40 unmarked surveillance cars. This is in addition to 10 community policing vans which are currently being prepared for deployment.

I have already enacted new laws which introduce tougher sentences. We have doubled the maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years, increased the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life and increased the maximum sentence for assaulting a Garda member or emergency worker from 7 to 12 years.

I am pleased to say that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill passed all remaining stages in the Dáil today and will now go to the President for signature. The Bill provides for body worn cameras, Garda CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and Community CCTV.

I have also instructed my officials to include the offences of rioting and violent disorder in the new Facial Recognition Bill, which will be ready to go to Government within weeks.