€3 million spent on public order equipment to protect gardai on the frontline – Farrell

Fine Gael’s Justice spokesman Alan Farrell has confirmed over €3m has been spent in the last 18 months to protect the men and women of An Garda Siochana on the frontline.

The investment, which covers 2023 and 2024 to date, demonstrates the essential tools required to support the gardai on the beat.

Deputy Alan Farrell, who is Fine Gael’s Parliamentary Party Chair, said: “Fine Gael founded An Garda Siochana. We support the men and women in uniform every single day.

“It is why we have rolled out body cameras to over 600 gardai and will continue their roll out across the country, if re-elected to Government.

“A priority for me is to support the individual members of the Garda Síochána who serve and protect our communities with dedication and skill in what are often very difficult circumstances.

“In Budget 2025, a further €5m is being allocated for public order equipment, including specialist personal public order equipment, crowd barrier controls, an expansion of the dog unit, water cannons and thousands of units of body armour.

“This investment is essential given the rise of public order incidents across the country.

“Figures, provided to me by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, show €3m has been spent on equipment for the Public Order Unit over the past 18 months.

“This includes investment on batons, riot helmets, pepper spray, helmets among other things.

“Minister Helen McEntee has delivered the highest ever Garda Budget and has working hard to increase Garda numbers. The 2023 intake into Templemore is the highest since 2018 and 64pc of recently attested Gardaí have gone to Dublin.

“Minister McEntee has also commenced a new Garda reserve competition with 1800 applicants and doubled the Garda training allowance, increased the cut off age of entry, and increased the retirement age.

“Fine Gael is the party of law and order. A vote for Fine Gael in the next election is a vote for a party that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Gardai, that will double investment in An Garda Siochana. A vote for Fine Gael is a vote for a fair but firmer justice system,” Deputy Farrell said.