Force voices are still not heard enough'

FEW professions carry as much weight as that of a garda.

- BY REGINA DOHERTY FINE GAEL MEP FOR DUBLIN

Across Ireland, members of An Garda Siochana keep us safe, often at great personal risk, and are the first to respond in times of crisis.

Yet, as I was reminded this week in my meetings with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association, their voices are still not heard enough.

Representatives pointed out how much more we need to do to support Garda welfare and employment rights.

They are right. If we want to build a modern, resilient police service, we must invest in those who serve in it.

That means looking at incentives to encourage more people to join the force, but also ensuring those already in uniform feel valued, supported and protected.

This will require real changes.

At European level too, the same challenges arise. That is why, in the EPP Group, we have decided to put law enforcement officers at the centre of our work.

Together with Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, we brought together representatives of national police forces, Europol, and other stakeholders. Their conclusions were clear: strengthening cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime within the EU is fundamental. This objective is all the more urgent as challenges continue to grow.