“The Dublin Metropolitan North region, serving the North County, is receiving twelve Garda cars in 2015”, says Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.
“The allocation of twelve Garda cars for the Dublin Metropolitan North region in 2015 will really help the fight against crime in local communities throughout the North County.
“Nine cars have been issued to the region so far this year with three due to be issued in the coming weeks. In addition to this 2015 allocation, €27.5 million was invested in new Garda vehicles between 2012 and 2014, which was an increase on the €4.8 million allocated by the previous Government in Budgets 2009-2011. In fact, Fine Gael has provided An Garda Síochána with at least €414 million more investment than Fianna Fáil had proposed for the same period.
“Our local Gardaí will be really bolstered by this influx of new vehicles, which is part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to fight crime. As well as increasing the number of Garda vehicles, we are bringing more Gardaí out from behind the desks and out onto our streets.
“We are also strengthening An Garda Síochána for the future by reopening the Garda training college in Templemore. When Fianna Fáil closed Templemore during their disastrous last term in Government it seemed to sound the death knell for Garda training. It is great to see Templemore rejuvenated again with 300 new students entering the college between last September and December with another 250 recruits starting their training this year, bringing the total of new Garda recruits to 550.
“As well as strengthening our Garda force and increasing the numbers of vehicles, the Minister for Justice, France Fitzgerald, is bringing in legislation to strengthen our response to burglaries. Too many people have had their homes violated and the proposed measures include longer sentences for repeat offenders. In a move to support the victims of crime the Minister is also planning to bring in legislation to allow for implementation of the EU Victims Directive, and new Garda Victim Support Offices will be established in every Garda division.
“With these practical measures and far reaching reforms we are going to show criminals how seriously we are taking the fight against crime.”