Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins is hosting a roundtable discussion for stakeholder groups and organisations with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee in Dungarvan on Friday on the topic of Stronger, Safer Communities.
Senator Cummins said “Stronger, Safer communities are the backbone of Irish Society. Fine Gael is committed to supporting communities in every part of Ireland. At present, there is major investment happening across the country in education, community facilities and in sports. For communities to grow and to be stronger, they also need to be safe. That means backing the Gardai with resources, staff and the laws they need to do their job, but it also means working hard to tackle disadvantage, improve community facilities and investing in deterrence.
He added “It is with this in mind that I took the opportunity to organise an event with Minister McEntee on Friday in Dungarvan during her visit to the constituency. I am hoping that as many stakeholder groups such as community and residents groups will be in a position to attend. This is a fantastic opportunity to sit down in small groups with the minister and outline the areas which need addressing in the time ahead.
“Minister McEntee is spearheading new laws to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. She is also focused on taking the ill-gotten gains of criminals and using it to invest in communities with the introduction of a new community safety innovation fund. The new gambling regulation bill will establish a new gambling regulator and a new Garda Siochana Digital Recording Bill is expected to keep communities and gardai safe by improving the use of CCTV and introducing body-worn cameras for Gardai. However, this list is not exhaustive and it is only by engaging with communities that we as politicians can understand the areas of concern which can be addressed from a policy and policing perspective.
It is understood Minister McEntee is expected to visit several locations throughout the county on Friday. If you feel your organisation would benefit from attending the roundtable with Minister McEntee on Friday, please contact john.cummins@oireachtas.ie