Cabinet Committees
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-15
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Micheál Martin (FF), Cork South-Central

In Kells. My apologies. The Deputy raised concerns about break-ins and burglaries. I will relay that to the Minister for justice. I am sure the Garda will tackle that in a concerted way. That is very disturbing for the people concerned. Garda numbers are improving every time a new intake goes through Templemore. As a result, I expect that we will be able to get there. We have done good work in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and other locations. As more gardaí come through, we are trying to get to as many areas as we possibly can in sufficient numbers, not just giving dribs and drabs, in order that we get good solid allocations.
The Deputy also raised the issue of community CCTV. I will have to get an update on that. It continues to be very effective and impactful in combating crime.
Deputy Paul Murphy referred to the Northside Home Care Service workers, as did Deputy Boyd Barrett. I am not familiar with the background to the suspension of the shop steward. I will ask for that to be investigated and checked by the Minister for Health. I am not saying that this justifies suspension, but I would be wary of using clients to sign petitions. I understand how it happens, because people need the service and people want the service to be supported. I will talk to the Minister about the general issue. Those involved were here a number of weeks ago as well, and this issue needs to be resolved. The process should be deal with through labour relations in order to get it resolved. Meanwhile, the atmosphere around this should be one that allows engagement and so forth.
Deputy Boyd Barrett also raised the issue of Ned Connors, who died in prison through alcohol poisoning. That is very disturbing. The Deputy said "Apparently, the Minister has for some reason prevented the report from being published." The Minister for justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, is a fair-minded person and is scrupulous-----

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-15