The Taoiseach has been addressing the vexed issue of rural crime and the difficulties that an undermanned Gardai faces in policing these areas.

According to Mr. Kenny, there are problems connected to the sophisticated methods employed by the gangs operating in these areas and the government has put in place a number of initiatives to help alleviate the problem.

This is what he told the Independent:

So will the government approach be successful and what do the Gardai on the ground make of it?

Dermot O’Brien, President of the Garda Representative Association, spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime today about the issue and told presenter Jonathan Healy it would take an Garda Síochana 50 years to recover.

He stated: "It's going to take us 50 years to get back to 2010 levels at the current rate of recruitment and loss."

Mr O'Brien went on to request the Garda Commissioner to open the rural garda stations as soon as possible in order to deal with the issue of rural crime.

You can listen to his full interview: