I am glad that the Minister for Justice and Equality is here to speak about the acute and severe shortage of Garda members in the Clonmel district. I have spoken to Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes and Superintendent Willie Leahy. At least 25 gardaí are needed to bring the Clonmel district which covers Carrick-on-Suir up to normal numbers. We have an acute problem with drugs and drug gangs. We are looking perilously at Drogheda, Longford and other areas and going to be there if action is not taken. I support what gardaí on the ground are doing, but they just do not have the manpower, womanpower or drugs squad members to deal with the problem. The wonderful communities in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir are being ravaged by drugs, drug gangs, cartels and vagabonds of all kinds. All measures of the law are needed to take these people off the streets and deal with them. There is no point in talking about the resources being given to the Garda nationally. We need more members of the force in the Clonmel district.

I am not aware of the report about which the Deputy speaks, but I am happy to pass on his concerns to the Garda Commissioner who has unprecedented and record funding of €1.7 billion. I am not familiar with the situation regarding Garda numbers in Clonmel. I would be happy to take a parliamentary question from the Deputy. I am due to take oral questions in this Chamber tomorrow. In the meantime, I will be happy to discuss the detail of the issue with the Deputy later today.