I want to raise the unacceptable levels of understaffing of An Garda Síochána across south Tipperary. It is now an absolute rarity to see gardaí on foot patrol on the beat. Staffing levels are so low that increasing numbers of gardaí are going on duty alone. I was contacted by a constituent at the weekend who told me that she had failed to make contact with a Garda station by phone at night. More distressingly, I was contacted by another member of the public who told me that a female garda on duty alone had been assaulted in Cashel on Friday. Thankfully, two members of the public came to her assistance. Garda staffing levels across south Tipperary are unacceptably low. I ask the Tánaiste to intervene with the Minister for justice and the Garda Commissioner to have garda staffing levels increased to ensure the safety of the public and the safety of An Garda Síochána members across south Tipperary.

I thank Deputy Healy for raising this issue. We are seeing very significant increase in the number of gardaí entering training in Templemore. It is a huge priority for the Government to increase the number of gardaí. I am absolutely disgusted and angered to hear about any assault on a member of An Garda Síochána. When I was justice Minister, we changed the law to increase the sentencing available to the courts for anybody who assaults a member of our emergency services, including a member of An Garda Síochána. An attack on a garda is an attack on our democracy and an attack on all of us. One of the reasons we are rolling out bodycams is to provide protection for gardaí. People often stick a camera in a garda's face and the garda is left having to endure that. It is really important that bodycams are rolled out. I will speak directly to the Minister who, I know, will raise the Deputy's view on garda numbers in south Tipperary with the Commissioner.