Ann Graves
Dublin Fingal East · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“These costs, details of which were provided by the Irish League of Credit Unions and Zurich, are forcing many parents into debt. Added to them are growing digital costs. According to Barnardos, the average cost of digital devices for second level has reached €430. That is up from €221 a couple of years ago.”
“At this time of year and with the great weather we are having, families should be planning holidays or spending days at the beach or elsewhere. Instead, for a growing number of families, this is a time of stress. They are already worrying about the cost of their children going back to school in September.”
“The Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport fees, cut the back-to-school clothes and footwear scheme and removed the cost-of-living payments for schools and the double child benefit payment. Many schools still do not provide hot lunches for kids.”
“I strongly support this motion which seeks to provide clear, identified and funded pathways for people with intellectual disabilities to move from home to a suitable residential placement and which supports the campaign by Before We Die, a family-led advocacy group seeking urgent ring-fenced Government funding for residential care and hou…”
“This fear is very real. Over 2,000 adults with an intellectual disability live with parents aged 70 or over, with 500 of those over 80. Some parents are providing full-time care into their 90s.”
“Ireland has committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities through legislation and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention recognises the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community.”
The complete record
Every one of 230 lines we hold for Ann Graves, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 5.
“The Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport fees, cut the back-to-school clothes and footwear scheme and removed the cost-of-living payments for schools and the double child benefit payment. Many schools still do not provide hot lunches for kids. Tackling these costs requires structural change, sustained public investment in education and schools and an immediate reversal of the cuts to grants and one-off payments and the reintroduction of fees. Our kids are our future; we need to invest in them.”
“These costs, details of which were provided by the Irish League of Credit Unions and Zurich, are forcing many parents into debt. Added to them are growing digital costs. According to Barnardos, the average cost of digital devices for second level has reached €430. That is up from €221 a couple of years ago. Families are going to be contacting me throughout the summer at my constituency office in Dublin Fingal East, just like they did last year. Parents and guardians are under pressure. They are seeking financial help. Many of them are borrowing money to clear current debts before the back-to-school bills land on their doorsteps. The Government points to improvements like the free school books scheme, but these gains are wiped out by the cost of living.”
“At this time of year and with the great weather we are having, families should be planning holidays or spending days at the beach or elsewhere. Instead, for a growing number of families, this is a time of stress. They are already worrying about the cost of their children going back to school in September. On top of spiralling rents, mortgages and food and energy costs, they must also pay for school books, uniforms, school bags and shoes and make the so-called voluntary donation. The list is endless, and the burden for families is getting heavier. Sending children back to school is a significant financial burden, with an average cost of €1,607 in respect of primary school students and over €2,100 for secondary school students.”
“Ireland has committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities through legislation and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention recognises the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community. Providing appropriate residential placements is essential, not only for improving quality of live but also for protecting human rights, supporting families and promoting social inclusion.”
“This fear is very real. Over 2,000 adults with an intellectual disability live with parents aged 70 or over, with 500 of those over 80. Some parents are providing full-time care into their 90s. I have worked with many parents who are distressed and heartbroken, worrying about what will happen to their adult children when they themselves are no longer able to provide care for them. Their biggest fear is that their children will end up in an emergency department. Families need and deserve choice. This choice can be between purpose-built congregational living with multi-disciplinary teams in place or families may prefer that their children live independently in the community. This needs to be catered for. The Government has a legal and moral obligation to provide these services.”
“I strongly support this motion which seeks to provide clear, identified and funded pathways for people with intellectual disabilities to move from home to a suitable residential placement and which supports the campaign by Before We Die, a family-led advocacy group seeking urgent ring-fenced Government funding for residential care and housing for adults with intellectual disabilities. Their needs are threefold: purpose-built housing; establishment of a clear, gradual transition plan rather than emergency placement; and a dedicated Government-invested programme rather than the current piecemeal funding which only covers a faction of the necessary residential places. I want to acknowledge the parents who founded Before We Die. They fear for their adult children’s future when they pass away or can no longer provide care for them.”
“The introduction of the new maximum caps does not go far enough and many people cannot avail of them. Childcare fees create barriers to using formal childcare facilities, female labour market participation and tackling childcare poverty rates. Sinn Féin is determined to deliver childcare for €10 a day. We are committed to an early years model of childcare that is affordable, high quality, accessible and inclusive. There are immediate actions that the Government can take by providing a roadmap to deliver €200 a month childcare with a clear implementation timeline and by extending the building blocks extension grant scheme to include existing buildings. Something has to give because families cannot afford childcare.”
“In Donabate, a developer looked for a change of use to allow a crèche to be turned into two residential units because there was no uptake. Meanwhile Fingal has the lowest proportion of community-based childcare in the State. The Dublin region average is 33%. The State average is approximately 23%. In Fingal, only 5% or 16 providers operate on a not-for-profit basis. The vast majority of these are in Dublin West. This is creating a real crisis in Dublin Fingal East, where families, children and childcare providers need to see a radical shift in Government policy. I am contacted every day by parents who are anxious. If they are lucky enough to get a place in a childcare facility, they simply cannot afford it. In some cases, it is akin to a second mortgage.”
“I acknowledge the work that an Teachta Kerrane has put in on this important motion. Affordable childcare is a real challenge for families in my constituency, Dublin Fingal East, one of the largest and fastest growing areas. We are seeing large developments being built delivering thousands of much-needed homes but there is little effort being put into planning good quality affordable childcare facilities to meet the needs of families. Those childcare facilities that are being built are not fit for purpose. They are not viable and the costs are way too high. Purpose-built childcare facilities are lying empty in Portmarnock and Swords. They are too small and cannot accommodate enough children to make them financially viable.”
“Ireland's largest summer festival is on this weekend in Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate. Flavours of Fingal is in its 14th year and has been very successful. Between 65,000 and 75,000 people attend over the two days. Part of its success has been down to shuttle buses that bring people to and fro. This year, however, due to cost cutting by Fingal County Council, there is to be no service, which is a real blow to businesses, vendors, etc. Thousands of extra cars on the road mean extra pollution and add to the existing traffic chaos. It clearly questions Fingal's commitment to sustainability and tackling climate change. It makes no sense whatever to have people travelling by car and paying €40 for parking-----”
“Now, more than ever, we need to send out a loud, proud message: we do not tolerate homophobia or transphobia here in the Oireachtas, on the streets of Dublin, in the workplace or anywhere it raises its ugly head. Sinn Féin wants to build an inclusive, all-Ireland nation based on equal rights for all, and we will continue to work actively with the LGBT+ community across the island of Ireland.”
“We reject transphobia and homophobia in Ireland and overseas. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Fingal Pride, which is part of Dublin Pride. Launched in 2021, its mission is to support people and their friends and families in Fingal by organising regular events and activities throughout the county and by increasing visibility and integration. This year, the theme is, "Beat a drum for Pride", with an event today in Clonsilla. I wish them very success. I would also encourage everyone to come along and join the main national Pride parade this Saturday at 12.30 p.m. at the Garden of Remembrance. Sinn Féin will be there front and centre on Saturday and I hope every other political party is well represented.”
“It is encouraged by political rhetoric and the online spreading of misinformation and lies. Unfortunately, we in Ireland are not insulated against this. An Garda Síochána recorded a 12% increase in reported hate crimes. A survey by Belong To found that, sadly, one in four members of Ireland's LGBT+ community has been physically attacked due to their identity. As politicians, we have an important role in challenging this homophobia and discrimination and to provide leadership. Pride must be more than speeches. While it is great to have the opportunity today to make our statements, simple gestures are just not enough. They need to be seen as a rallying call to challenge hate speech and misinformation. It means standing up to those who spread lies. Sinn Féin condemns these increasing attacks.”
“Pride has grown from a small gathering in Dublin to a nationwide celebration of diversity and inclusion. While it is very important that we recognise and celebrate progress, we must not become complacent. There are those who would roll back the progress and drag us back to the dark and less inclusive times. Pride has its roots in the struggle for equality and human rights but now these human rights are under attack. According to Amnesty International, attacks and hate crimes against our LGBT+ brothers and sisters have significantly increased in recent years across Europe, Britain and the United States, with transgender and gender non-conforming people being disproportionately targeted. This is really concerning. This wave of hate does not happen in a vacuum.”
“I can assure residents of Fingal east that I have heard their concerns and we will work tirelessly to ensure they are addressed. Our priority will be to mandate the DAA to engage meaningfully with residents; to enhance community compensation, including for voluntary relocation, improved insulation and mitigation measures; and to address the variations in flight paths while protecting residents and staff.”
“Long before I was elected to local or central government, I stood with the residents in St. Margaret's The Ward and the people of Swords who have sought a better life and I have continued to engage with the wider community in Fingal east. I live in Swords and I represent the people in Donabate, Portmarnock, Malahide, Portrane and Kinsealy - all of the areas that are worst affected by noise at varying degrees. When I was on the council, I had a motion unanimously agreed for the Fingal development plan that highlighted the need to tackle the serious health and safety issue of noise pollution for the local community. Unfortunately this motion was ruled out of order under the direction of the then Minister. The proposed legislation does not effectively deal with residents' concerns, including in respect of health and well-being.”
“Residents have been forced to take court action to ensure that their voices are heard. The cap is now subject to legal challenge under EU law. If the cap is not lifted before the forthcoming European court ruling, this could force the IAA to enforce the cap more strictly. This would have a very negative impact on Ireland's economy, particularly on our tourism sector. Regardless of the court ruling, local residents must be heard and included in a meaningful way by both the DAA and Fingal County Council. There are a number of important unresolved matters that must be addressed, including night flights, flight paths, noise and kerosene fumes from planes waiting to take off. Night-time flights are of particular concern, with flights permitted at the airport increasing from an average of 65 a night to 95 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.”
“The lifting of the cap will also require that adequate and well-resourced infrastructure is put in place to meet the extra demands from increased passenger numbers. This was one of the reasons for the cap in the first place. It was a condition of planning for the north runway development. This means a better public transport system that includes delivering the long overdue metro north project. The lifting of the cap cannot be allowed to contribute to worsening the traffic chaos that already exists in Swords and Dublin Fingal East. We will also be seeking wider investment in insulation, better buy-out deals, agreed flight paths and overall better protection for residents. I understand why local residents are frustrated and angry. The DAA's engagement with residents has been consistently poor. It is not a good neighbour.”
“Last year alone, the cap was exceeded by over four million passengers. As this Bill is very light on detail, Sinn Féin will be tabling amendments to address this. We will propose amendments to mandate the Government to update our national aviation policy, ensure balanced regional development and set out a long-term strategy for Dublin Airport that includes an all-Ireland dimension. The lifting of the passenger cup must be done in an organised fashion that benefits not just airlines and big business but also the wider community. To ensure this happens, our proposed amendments to the Bill would ensure that residents, community groups and other stakeholders are fully consulted with. Despite what the Minister says, residents feel that they are being ignored.”
“As a an island economy, Ireland's connectivity is essential and, to maximise the benefits to our economy, we need an ambitious aviation strategy. That does not mean that all roads lead to Dublin Airport, which is just as well considering the traffic mayhem there at the moment and the lack of a sustainable transport system. A successful strategy demands balanced, connected infrastructure that leads to sustainable rural and regional development. There is an all-Ireland dimension that also needs to be addressed. Brexit demonstrated how important trade into and out of this island is. Dublin Airport has long been operating over capacity. The passenger cap is not fit for purpose and was never adhered to. In 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the DAA knowingly ignored and exceeded the cap.”
“I am happy the Government is supporting the Bill but to those TDs who may have doubts about it, I ask them to please stop and think about the women they know. I ask them to put themselves in their shoes, support them, trust in them and please do the right thing by supporting the Bill.”
“It has had serious consequences for women in very difficult circumstances where they are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, and are being forced into additional trauma and distress. I am working with a woman in my constituency who was abused for years by a close family member. When she discovered she was pregnant she was devastated and decided on a termination. She had her mind made up and there was no question but she found the three-day delay very difficult to deal with. Not only had she to deal with abuse, which she is now addressing, thankfully, she has also suffered through an additional needless wait. Sinn Féin published the legislation and moved First Stage on 7 June, a number of weeks after our party's Ard-Fheis endorsed the position.”
“Since the repeal of the eighth amendment and the passing of abortion legislation, there have been concerns expressed at the mandatory three-day wait and the negative implications it has had for women. A review of the legislation recommended that it had to go. Any woman making this decision will not have done so lightly. Removing the mandatory wait does not mean a woman cannot take more time if she wishes, this option will still, of course, be available but forcing a woman into a three-day mandatory wait is not on. It has had a very negative effect and it is cruel. It has meant that some women time out and have to travel abroad simply because they cannot get access to care. Perhaps they have difficulty getting a GP appointment in their area.”
“It does not reflect the needs of the women in Ireland or the views of the wider public. I have seen some people attempt to muddy the waters, play politics with women's health, and make baseless claims about this Bill. This Bill is focused on the three-day wait and nothing else. I acknowledge all those women and men who campaigned against the original eighth amendment and then successfully campaigned to remove that amendment from the Constitution. The three-day wait should never have been introduced and has had serious consequences. It is time for the law to change and this will be a significant move towards removing barriers to women accessing healthcare.”
“Removal of the mandatory three-day wait period for abortion in early pregnancy is a hugely step forward for women the length and breadth of this country. As it stands, it affects women's access to healthcare right across Ireland; women from all different backgrounds who have made their choices for many different reasons. We have to put the health of women to the forefront and this is key to the Sinn Féin legislation. This Bill supports and trusts women. It allows women access to healthcare in a respectful and understanding way and it respects their choice. Ireland has come a long way in my lifetime. We are a far more understanding and caring society than the one I grew up in but we still have more to do. I have seen the negative spin around this on social media.”
“Irish people have consistently stood shoulder to shoulder with Palestine. We have marched in our thousands in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Government must respect the values of human rights, justice and international law. It must stand up against genocide in Gaza and Israeli apartheid and stop the games now.”
“Attempts to move the football games behind closed doors or to a different country are cowardly and have to be called out. The game should not go ahead, whether in Dublin, Hungary or anywhere else. That is not the point. We are witnessing is genocide in Gaza and the destruction of Palestine in real time. We know what is going on. There should be no excuses, no change of venue, no games - just no way. The Government must rise to the challenge and show real leadership. It cannot pass the buck and leave it to sporting bodies, and most definitely not to the players. Only last year, the Government failed children in Palestine who could not visit Ireland to play Gaelic games. The excuse at the time related to visas. There should be no excuses. The Government must do the right thing and be the leader it claims to be.”
“The least we can do in Ireland is ensure the green jersey is not used to rehabilitate Israel at a time when the IDF is involved in genocide in Gaza and the first annexation of the West Bank. I have been around long enough to remember and to have stood in support of the brave stance taken by Dunnes Stores workers in Henry Street in 1984, when union members decided to take a stance against apartheid in South Africa. The Dunnes Stores strike led to the Irish Government introducing legislation to officially boycott apartheid in South Africa, contributing to the further international isolation and eventual downfall of apartheid there. It is a proud example of what we should be doing now with Israel. Ireland should not play Israel in sport. Doing so legitimises genocide and gives cover to statute violations, apartheid and war crimes.”
“I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion. I also congratulate Teachta Ennis on his maiden speech. Sinn Féin fully supports the motion to exclude Israel from sporting fixtures. We also stand with the Stop the Game campaign, which includes a huge number of organisations and individuals across Ireland, from football clubs, fan clubs and trade unions to students, players and pro-Palestinian groups, all of whom are united in making sure Israel's genocide is not legitimised or sportswashed, in a coalition across Ireland campaigning to stop the Ireland versus Israel games in September and October. There must be accountability for Israeli crimes against humanity. Israel should face boycotting, divestment and sanctions.”
“We need a radical shift in transport policy. We need proper planning for transport to meet the needs of our growing population. I welcome the Bill and I hope it addresses the issues I have raised.”
“It is yet another staggering failure of public spending oversight by Government. The current works on the R132 to facilitate delivery of MetroLink have caused chaos with traffic coming in and out of Swords at a standstill. It is having a huge impact on commuters. Carers are finding it impossible to get to vulnerable clients, all caused by the works on the R132 and other mismanaged works being done at the same time. There is no management in place. We need MetroLink and I support MetroLink but it has to be delivered in a planned, connected and cost-effective way. The Minister recently promised that MetroLink would not become a children's hospital mark 2, yet €103 million has been spent in the first few months of this year alone with predicted costs skyrocketing from €2.5 billion to €15.8 billion, all out of the public purse.”
“This has been the story in Fingal east for many years - huge residential developments with no proper infrastructure, schools, healthcare or transport and no building of communities. Some 58% of short journeys are still made by car. This is a major issue in our area where transport is not factored into planning. There are huge housing developments with no reliable or accessible transport so estates in the Minister's constituency in Knocksedan and Kinsealy are left without footpaths much less public transport. This has to be central to any future developments in Fingal east. When I first moved to Swords the MetroLink was soon to follow. It was a selling point for me in buying my home but 35 years later, almost €500 million being spent and basically nothing has happened.”
“Public transport is vital for families and communities. A decent, reliable and sustainable transport system connects people with each other, work, education and recreation. The Minister will know that Fingal east faces systematic and long-standing deficits in public transport. The lack of infrastructure is now constraining economic growth and worsening climate outcomes and residential development. This has led to a dependency on car use. The OECD concluded that Ireland's transport system is structurally designed to accommodate cars. This is down to consecutive governments not prioritising public transport. Some 76% of people rely on cars. It is one of the highest rates in the EU.”
“The much-needed additional gardaí announced for Swords and Malahide are very welcome. However it does not address the need for a fit-for-purpose station in Swords. The station we currently have was built when Swords was a village. We now have a population of over 41,000 and growing. It services the areas around it, including Portmarnock, Donabate and further afield. The gardaí are doing the best they can with limited services, including working overtime to deal with antisocial behaviour, etc. An upgrade has been planned since 2005 and nothing has happened. We really need a fully functioning Garda station. I met the Minister for justice in October. He promised to visit the station. I raised it again on the floor of the Dáil and he promised to look at it again. Can we do something about it?”
“It puts women in a difficult position and it is not compassionate to those who suffer rape or sexual assault, those who learned of their pregnancy late or those who were subject to controlling or abusive partners for whom the first appointment may be the only appointment they can get. We are concerned by proposals in the Bill to decriminalise medical practitioners who wilfully act illegally beyond the scope of the Act. We have a long history in this country of scandals in women's healthcare. The law is the law and medical practitioners should not be given carte blanche to act outside the law.”
“It is time for us to make further progress. One of the biggest barriers identified in the review was the lack of GPs providing access to early medical terminations. This creates a postcode lottery in access to care. Only 10% to 15% of GPs provide early medical termination services, which is less than ten in some counties. The review recommended a geospatial analysis of services to identify the biggest gaps. Sinn Féin supports the abolition of the mandatory three-day wait for an early-pregnancy abortion. We introduced legislation that would remove the mandatory three-day wait for access to an abortion during early pregnancy. It would represent practical and compassionate change.”
“The 2017 Citizens' Assembly on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution was hugely important in moving the debate on, with 64% of participants voting in favour of unrestricted access to abortion and substantial support for the 12-week gestational limit. The referendum that followed was a turning point for women in Ireland. Finally, they could access reproductive healthcare, including abortion, without being criminalised or ostracised. Unfortunately, the legislation passed by the Oireachtas imposed a three-day wait for an early-pregnancy abortion. The review of the operation of the Act was published three years ago. It highlighted serious imbalances in access to care, significant geographic variation in access to services, the underdevelopment of regional services and barriers such as the three-day wait.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on an issue that affects women's reproductive health right across the State. I acknowledge that we have come a long way. We have a lot done but there is a lot more to be done. We are in a society now that is far more caring and considerate than the one I grew up in, but we had to fight every step of the way for what we have. From the contraception trains in the 1970s, the campaign against the eighth amendment in the 1980s, criminalisation in the 1990s, right up to the campaign for women's right to choose in the noughties, we had to fight every single step of the way. I was proud to stand with women in making the changes on many of these campaigns.”
“The Minister sent a standard reply to parents which stated that the demand for primary school places has reduced in recent years and is projected to continue to reduce, but this is not true. The Department indicated that it reviewed demand based on child benefit statements in 2025, but that is clearly not the case because the evidence needed would be there in black and white. We need to do something serious, particularly in light of the growth happening in the area.”
“The Government has to deal with the crisis relating to school places in Fingal East. What is happening is very serious. I have a 13-year-old boy who is non-verbal and who has ASD. He is meant to be starting first year. His mother is a single parent and she will be forced to give up her job if she cannot get a place for him in September. In Loreto College Swords, 16 have been left without places for transition year. Their parents are at their wits' end. This is causing serious upset and anxiety for the girls in question. In Portmarnock, there is a serious shortage of school places, particularly in St. Marnock’s primary school. Hundreds of houses have been built, which is welcome, but the number of school places does not match the demand that exists. There is an urgent need for expansion of capacity in the school.”
“She grew up with Drogheda United and literally learned how to walk on the football pitch. She went on to become the first and only female chair of a League of Ireland team and I stand in solidarity with her. I also applaud her strength of character and the way she has dealt with an appalling situation over the last couple of months. There is no place for genocide in sport. The Irish football team should not play Israel. I will finish by congratulating the Irish women’s team and wishing them the very best at the weekend.”
“I also want to acknowledge the other local clubs in Swords. Swords Celtic was founded in 1962 and is one of the oldest clubs in Fingal. River Valley Rangers have 300 members with 22 teams in four different leagues. This is just a snapshot of the amazing work done by soccer clubs in Swords but it is also reflected across the length and breadth of Fingal east. Every club is making our communities better, healthier and safer places for everybody but they need support. They need additional pitches, including all-weather pitches. Many teams are making long journeys just to get to a playable pitch. They also need access to facilities and funding. The positive experience gained on football teams is priceless, so we need to invest more in our clubs. I acknowledge my comrade Deputy Byrne.”
“I begin by acknowledging all the great work done by thousands of volunteers who ensure our young people have an opportunity to play football every week. We owe a deep gratitude to all the coaches who turn up week in, week out in all weathers to train our young players to be the best they can be both on and off the pitch. The Dublin schoolboy league is the biggest football league in Europe and without the volunteers it simply would not function. I have seen the great work done by the coaches and board, with a special mention to Éoin Sherlock in my local football club Swords Manor. I am proud to wear its jersey as a mark of respect to the club and what it does for our community. Its impact is felt way beyond the football pitch. Swords Manor was founded back in 1995 and now boasts 600 members, 550 players, 30 teams and 75 volunteers.”
“The Government created a situation where people felt ignored, so they took to the streets in protest. This was like the Right2Water mark II, but they were met not by a government willing to engage, but with pompous lectures and finger-wagging. The Taoiseach totally underestimated the level of anger towards this Government. Every day in my constituency office, I have individuals and representatives calling in. It is the Minister's constituency as well. He needs to do better.”
“Families look to the Government during tough times for leadership, and there is none. Some 320,000 people cannot afford their electricity, and 25% cannot afford to pay their gas bills. Everyone else is running just to stand still. Sinn Féin brought forward legislation over a month ago to reduce the cost of petrol, diesel, green diesel and home heating oil. We called for the maximum reduction for everyone, directly at the pumps, but the Government opposed these common-sense measures. We needed an immediate 25 cent off the price of diesel and petrol. The Government’s miserly offer was swallowed up in days. Sinn Féin proposed the removal of excise, including the carbon tax, on home heating oil. We also called for the maximum cut to excise, including the carbon tax, on green diesel.”
“The Government may have won the confidence vote yesterday, backed by Independents, but I can assure the House that I and the public have lost all confidence in it. The Government still has not taken the necessary steps to make fuel affordable at the pumps, and it did nothing on home heating oil. This is despite the fact that heating oil has hit the highest price on record. The last-minute proposed package does not go far enough. Coach companies do not know what the support scheme offers them. Where are the details of the direct payments? Households are struggling. They have to deal every day with a cost-of-living crisis. Fuel, food, rent and heating have all spiralled out of control. There has been an increase in school bus prices, which are up from €50 to €100 for primary students, and from €75 to €100 for post-primary students.”
“Swords is currently part of a large district with headquarters in Coolock. The area includes Coolock, Malahide, Swords, Donabate and Rolestown, and the area all the way out to Coolquay. With the ever-growing population, future policing in the area requires the creation of a new Garda district with Swords as its centre point. The Minister has agreed to visit Swords station and see for himself the conditions that the gardaí are working in. I again extend my invitation.”
“In my constituency, Dublin Fingal East, Swords needs a new Garda station that is fit for purpose. The existing station was built to serve what was then a village. It is now serving a population of over 41,000 and growing. The Minister is aware of this because I met him to speak to him about it in October of last year. The station serves Swords, Donabate, Portmarnock and most of Dublin Fingal East. The gardaí provide the best service they can with limited resources, but the station is simply not fit for purpose. There have been planned upgrades since 2005 and the public and the gardaí deserve better. We deserve a new, fully functional Garda station that meets the needs of the community, with its growing population, and satellite stations to serve the other growing towns served by Swords.”
“I acknowledge the work done by serving members of An Garda Síochána, particularly community gardaí, who do their jobs under very difficult circumstances. Tackling the causes and consequences of crime is not just about law and order and it cannot be left entirely to gardaí. It is about having sufficient Garda numbers, adequately resourced, to work within the communities they serve. Community safety requires whole-of-government responsibility and an inter-agency approach. Gardaí have to battle not only against crime but also for better pay and conditions. Starting pay is less than €40,000. Gardaí are competing in a housing market that is pricing new recruits out of Dublin and indeed most areas, all while working in conditions that are simply not good enough.”
“Resources need to be put in place to support the community and voluntary groups along with our SNAs, carers and disabled women. The list goes on and on. We need to allow them to reach their full potential.”