This Government is, in fact, increasing the resources available to the Garda. Garda numbers have increased in the past three years by 600 members and are on course to meet the Government target of a Garda strength of 12,000 by the year 2002. The Garda fleet has also increased from 1350 to 1800 vehicles and the Garda air support unit has become operational and an additional helicopter is being purchased.
The allocation for Garda expenditure provided in the 1997 Estimates for the Garda Vote was a figure of £494 million, this years provision is £668 million.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree that this clearly illustrates my commitment and that of the Government to ensure that The Garda Síochána has the necessary resources to tackle drug trafficking and crime in all its forms. In fact, the reality is that The Garda Síochána has never, in its history, been better resourced in terms of manpower and equipment than it has been since this Government took office.