Press Release: Justice 20  March 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

Greens highlight failure of Garda numbers to keep pace with population

"Since Michael McDowell was appointed Minister for Justice in 2002, the ratio of Garda Síochána to population has decreased every year"

Following Minister Michael McDowell’s response to figures produced today by Fine Gael, the Green Party has highlighted the fact that Garda numbers per head of population have decreased consistently since 2002. 

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said, “Since Michael McDowell was appointed Minister for Justice in 2002, the ratio of Garda Síochána to population has decreased every year. In 2002 there was one Garda for every 329 people and by the end of 2005 this figure was one Garda for every 337 people. 

“While Minister McDowell has taken steps to recruit greater numbers to the ranks of An Garda Síochána it is clear that this drive has failed to match recent population increases. An Garda Síochána is under severe pressure to respond adequately to the level of crime we are experiencing at the moment.”  

Note for Editors: 

The figures contained in the table below have been gathered from a number of replies to Parliamentary Questions put to the Minister for Justice by Ciarán Cuffe TD.