In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to providing and prioritising protection from and a reduction in crime by giving proper investment to An Garda Síochána. Last week, I attended a public meeting of a Louth policing committee to discuss threats against a local family. I commend that family on the courage it demonstrated in standing up to the thugs who have already attacked the family home. Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan told us Louth does not have enough gardaí. He said he did not have enough gardaí recently to secure a crime scene.

He also stated that he is unable to open some stations, such as Ardee, as often as he would like. He further stated - I know this and have raised the matter many times here - that there are not enough resources for drug addiction services, including mental health services, in the area. He then stated - and I wrote this down - that if we do not tackle this, we will lose a generation of our young people. Negotiations on the next budget will commence shortly. Will the Taoiseach commit to providing a significant increase in Garda funding in the next financial year? Will he ensure that the State stands shoulder to shoulder with citizens such as those in Louth who are making a stand for themselves and for the rest of us?

I understand that an additional 20 or 23 gardaí are being assigned to Drogheda and County Louth as a result of the crimes that have been committed there recently. I very much welcome this, and I know that Deputy Adams will too. Deputy O'Dowd has been very active on this issue as well. The way in which gardaí are deployed is very much a matter for the Garda Commissioner, as should be the case. The Government's job is to provide additional resources for the Garda: first, to run the economy in such a way that produces additional resources; and, second, to ensure that some of those resources are assigned to security and the Garda. We are recruiting all the time. An additional 600 gardaí will be recruited this year. The Garda budget of €1.5 billion for 2019 is the highest ever. However, there will always be a need for additional resources. Such resources will be provided in the next budget but to the extent that we can afford.