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.

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