Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the crucial issues is to ensure that public respect for the Garda Síochána is maintained. We have a substantial number in the force. The overwhelming majority of members of the Garda force are fine men and women doing their public duty, seeking to protect the community against crime, investigating crime and ensuring evidence is available to facilitate the prosecution of cases before our courts.

What was the big issue in this House some years ago? Since we have been consolidating Garda stations we have been told that crime would be rampant throughout the country and that individuals were seriously at risk.

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