I ask the Leader, Senator Buttimer, to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan-----

I cannot hear the Senator.

That is unusual.

That is unusual.

I ask the Minister to attend the House to discuss the issues that have been raised by my colleagues, in particular Senator Ardagh, who is familiar with the situation in Dublin and throughout the country. To say that I am alarmed would be an understatement. Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy stated that there would be no overtime in the country between now and Christmas except for work on certain Kinahan gang affairs. Mr. Leahy seems like an honourable and honest man and I would like to see him move up to Commissioner. He would be an ideal choice because he tells the truth about what is happening. It was important that we be alerted to the situation.

Mr. Kieran O'Neill of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, spoke on today's "Morning Ireland" and expressed the seriousness of the situation. To declare an interest, the GRA is my nominating body. Indeed, it is the nominating body of four Senators. We must listen to its concerns because it put us here from a nomination point of view.

What Mr. O'Neill said was fair and honourable. He is concerned about what is happening. Gardaí were sent home from stations last night because there was no overtime. It is a serious threat to the security and safety of the State and our citizens.

Mr. Leahy is the most straightforward and honourable man. When he talked about Stepaside Garda station, he said that it was not his priority.

Exactly.

He said it six times.

A stroke by the Minister, Deputy Ross.

He told the Committee of Public Accounts that, if he got extra manpower today, he would send it to Ballyfermot and the Dublin inner city before Stepaside. Stepaside was a political decision. Why was the Tarmonbarry station on the bridge between Dublin, Roscommon and Castlebar not opened even though there was a Taoiseach there at the time?

The Senator has gone into injury time.

As the former Taoiseach told me, he promised to open Stepaside, but he did not promise there would be gardaí. There seem to be no gardaí going to Stepaside. It was the most blatant political manoeuvre, and now we know the full detail of the-----

The Senator has gone over his allocated time.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach might not like to hear my views.

We have gone over time. That is all.

Really?

Yes.

Senator Devine is not too bad at this herself.

The Senator is 15 seconds over time. Please, wind up.

This from a party that is spending €5 million on propaganda. The last socialist democratic party in Germany had such a unit as well, so it does not surprise me. Knowing the background-----

The Senator is going back to his old ways.

I thank Senator Leyden, but he has made his point.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, but some might find it difficult to hear the truth.

Can Senator Leyden spell that word?

The Government will spend €5 million on propaganda but not on overtime for gardaí in Dublin. It is a disgrace.

The Senator is out of order.

No. This Government is out of order.

No. The Senator is out of order. I call Senator Boyhan.