The Government should fulfill its election promise of putting in place an additional 2,000 gardai to prevent Ireland succumbing to a drugs epidemic, Fine Gael's Mr Gay Mitchell said today.
Speaking at the launch of Fine Gael's local election manifesto Mr Mitchell added that Ireland was on the verge of an uncontrollable influx of drugs, which if not tackled now, will lead to far greater problems down the line.
"One way to tackle the developing drug epidemic is to get more gardai walking on the streets of the various communities around Dublin," said Mr Mitchell.
He argued that more stringent policing on Irish shores, in conjunction with an EU Coastguard, would benefit Dublin hugely and serve as a deterrent to drug gangs who exploit the seas around Ireland while plying their "evil trade".
Deputy Mitchell made reference to the streamlining of EU Law Enforcement Systems, first mentioned in Finland in 1999, but as yet not acted upon because of the belief that cross border EU law must be unanimously agreed by all 25 EU Justice Ministers.
Deputy Mitchell's sentiments were echoed by Senator Brian Hayes, who launched Fine Gael's local manifesto under the slogan 'Taking a stand for Dublin'.
Senator Hayes emphasised Gael's support for the reform of local government that would see a mayor directly elected by the people for a five year term as well as establishment of a new Dublin Transport Authority to take over the existing system, currently run by 20 separate agencies.
In a manifesto solely aimed at the regeneration of Dublin, there were calls for a new Metropolitan Police service to be operated in tandem with the Garda Siochana, as well as the abolition of a flat rate annual waste charge.
Also mooted was the establishment of an Independent Infrastructure Review Unit to analyse the cost of various projects such as the "Luas overspending fiasco".