Sinn Fein condemns Government’s ‘hands-off’ approach on policing
A Government “hands-off” approach on policing has led to the “incomprehensible” situation where gardai are poised to strike, TDs have been told.
Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty told the Dail that the coalition, singling out Fine Gael in particular, had pursued a “soft touch” approach to policing and crime.
Mr Doherty said the Garda was in “crisis”, as morale within the ranks was at an all-time low.
“Unfortunately, under your watch Tanaiste, and particularly under Fine Gael’s watch, morale in the gardai is at an all-time low,” he said.
“Gardai numbers are falling as gardai leave the force, we see that year after year.
“Targets for new recruits are missed time and time again as people don’t see a career in the Garda as an option worth pursuing anymore, and specialised units are being disbanded.”
Mr Doherty added: “After 12 years of Fine Gael justice minister after justice minister, the gardai are in crisis and the communities are less safe than ever.
“So Fine Gael’s soft touch approach to policing has pushed the gardai to breaking point and ordinary communities are forced to pay the price of government failure. And this is a crisis. It is a crisis and we don’t need any more vague promises from government or more photo ops or glossy announcements that amounted to nothing.
“Government needs to get to grips with crime and they need to do it now.”
Mr Doherty said it was time Justice Minister Helen McEntee intervened to avert the threatened action by gardai in October and November amid their dispute with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris over rosters.
“The hands-off approach by the Minister for Justice is not working,” he added.
“It is incomprehensible that she would allow this to get to the stage where the gardai have to go on strike.
“When will the Government end the scandal of their soft touch approach to policing so that communities can feel safe and protected?”
In response, Mr Martin said the record drugs haul seized by Irish authorities in a cargo ship this week was evidence there was no soft touch on crime.
He highlighted that two billion euros have been allocated to the Garda this year.
“The issue around the Garda roster, which was introduced by the commissioner, is clearly an issue that has caused considerable unrest and concern within the ranks of An Garda Siochana,” he said.
The Tanaiste added: “In my view these issues are best resolved within the industrial relations mechanisms and that’s where they should be resolved. Because it is understood that there are concerns and legitimate genuine concerns, but the way to resolve it, with respect to the minister for justice, is through industrial relations machinery.”