I wish to raise the issue of the ongoing drugs feud in Drogheda and the latest horrific murder in Bettystown on Monday.

A joint policing committee meeting was held in Drogheda on Monday afternoon. Serious concerns were raised and shock was expressed about the fact that Garda funding for ongoing operations to tackle this feud ran out last Monday. The Garda budget for Drogheda is gone at the height of a feud. An Garda Síochána has made inroads but without the continuation of this funding and the specialised units, not only is this feud set to escalate - there has only been a lull because of the presence of the specialised units and the extra resources there at the moment - all of the work that has been done will have been for nothing. The Taoiseach does not need me to outline for him the ramifications of that if we do not secure further funding. An Garda Síochána is lodging an application for the continuation of funding this week as a matter of urgency. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to meet with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the continuation of this funding is secured as a matter of urgency? In a previous response, the Taoiseach said that it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but we are at the height of a feud and An Garda Síochána should not even have to go looking for it again. It should be there. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister to do that before more people are killed?

I join the Deputy in acknowledging the progress that has been made in the greater Drogheda area and the success An Garda Síochána has had in quelling violence and tension in Drogheda in the past couple of months. That is, of course, in part connected to the additional resources provided for the area. The budget allocated to An Garda Síochána for next year is €1.88 billion, which is the highest ever budget, so An Garda Síochána has never been as well resourced as it is now. It is a decision for the Garda Commissioner as to how best to allocate resources and I trust him to do that.