Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Cllr Shane Moynihan has welcomed the launch of a policy document to enhance and support urban living across Ireland. With two-thirds of the population residing in towns and cities, Fianna Fáil’s plan will make urban areas cleaner, safer, and more resilient. Fianna Fáil will introduce a new Urban Communities Initiative, backed by €175m over the term of government. This initiative will focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by communities in areas of high disadvantage.
Moynihan said, “The Gardaí play an essential role in safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. Garda visibility on our streets and in our communities is vital to ensuring families feel safe. Without a strong Garda presence, we risk chaos in our towns and cities. “Since 2020 the Garda training allowance has been increased, we have raised both the age limit for entry and the retirement age to aid Garda recruitment and retention. However, we need to do much more to ensure that there are far more Gardaí visible across our communities.
“Fianna Fáil will expand the Garda force by 5000, the largest expansion ever in the history of the An Garda Síochána. This expansion will prioritise community and town-center policing, helping to create a safer environment across our towns and cities. We will also fund improved training facilities and equipment to support Gardaí as they adapt to the demands of growing urban populations.
Fianna Fáil has long advocated for the need for a dedicated Transport Police unit, focused on preventing and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on our national public transport network.
“Public transport should not be a space where crime can thrive unchallenged,” said Cllr Shane Moynihan. “With a dedicated transport police, we will ensure that our transit system becomes a safer, more secure environment for everyone.”
