Mayo TD embroiled in heated Dáil row over community safety

Mayo TD Paul Lawless has become embroiled in a heated Dáil Éireann row with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil TDs over policing and community safety.

It erupted following a statement he made on the record of the House during a debate at which Minister of State at the Department of Justice Colm Brophy was in attendance.

The Knock-based Aontú representative stated: "There is a massive amount of work to be done.

"There is a significant drug problem in our communities. I recently spoke to several gardaí who told me they do not have the manpower or time to deal with drugs.

"Those drug issues include underage kids taking drugs, which is a major issue. Theft, violence and antisocial behaviour are all on the rise.

"We all know we need more gardaí and that we need to reopen our rural garda stations.

"That cannot be done, however, because of issues with recruitment and retention.

"Being a garda used to be a job a father would pass to a son, but that link has broken because we have reduced morale and pay and conditions in the garda.

"There has been a radical change to policing. This country used to have a proactive community policing model.

"That has now been eroded because the Garda Commissioner and successive senior managers would rather have gardaí tied up behind screens doing paperwork. That is the truth.

"Many years ago, gardaí would be on the street and would know what was happening before it even happened.

"That is no longer the case. We need to return to proactive community policing.

"In 2023, the Garda Representative Association voted no confidence in the Commissioner. A total of 98% voted no confidence.

"I recently met the Commissioner at Mayo County Council. I asked him what has happened in management of An Garda Síochána to address the issues. Nothing has happened since that vote of no confidence.

"Is it any wonder we have a recruitment and retention crisis when we will not listen to gardaí?

"A garda in my constituency retired recently after decades of service and it was not even acknowledged by senior management. He had no exit interview.

"If the government had bothered to listen to him, it would realise what is happening.

"Perhaps we would not need TikTok videos and the waste of time with gardaí dancing and prancing around.

"Let us address the actual issues. That is what is happening. No amount of TikTok and spin will address the issues.

"Gardaí are talking. They are telling young recruits and other young people, including their sons, daughters and cousins, that it is not a job for the future. It is getting worse.

"I am pleading with the Minister of State to listen to gardaí, find out why 98% have no confidence in the Commissioner and address the issues with increased bureaucracy and pay and conditions.

"Then, perhaps, we will reach the programme for government target that states we will have 1,000 extra gardaí every year.

"However, at the moment it is not going to happen."

Dublin Bay South Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan: "I was going to start by giving praise to gardaí and the work they do, but having listened to Deputy Lawless's contribution I find it really frustrating that somebody in this Chamber would stand up and belittle gardaí in the way-----

Deputy Lawless: A Cheann Comhairle, that is out of order.

Deputy Verona Murphy CC: Did he mention your name?

Deputy Lawless: He did mention my name.

Deputy Geoghegan: To suggest there are no-----

Deputy Lawless: Withdraw the statement.

Deputy Murphy: Please do not interrupt, Deputy Lawless. I will ask the question. Did you, Deputy Geoghegan, mention Deputy Lawless's name with regard to that?

Deputy Geoghegan: I did mention the Deputy's name.

Deputy Murphy: You cannot say it was belittling. I ask you to withdraw it. Deputy Lawless is entitled to make his statement too, Deputy.

Deputy Geoghegan: Am I not allowed identify things that are being said in this House and to challenge those things? That is an extraordinary . . .

Deputy Lawless: A Cheann Comhairle, the point I made was around management of An Garda Síochána and I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the wonderful work gardaí are doing.

Deputy Murphy: Thank you. Deputy, resume your seat. You have had your time.

Deputy John Lahart (FF): You talked about them wasting their time dancing.

Deputy Lawless: No. I was referring to senior management, a Cheann Comhairle. Senior management are not listening to gardaí.

Deputy Murphy: Excuse me, Deputy. It is Deputy Geoghegan's opinion of what you said. That is it. Move on. Start the clock.