John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are in a time of massive uncertainty and I am particularly concerned about elderly people in rural areas. When an announcement such as the closure of a Garda station is made it increases their uncertainty, and the normal route or standard of communication will not be adequate in this situation.

That is why there should be an additional level of communication, double what we are used to, to inform people about what is going on. It should focus on letting people know and explaining to them that the garda who was in their rural station will be utilised better for the community. There should be a heightened sense of communication. That is the critical issue. I go along with some of the sentiments of some of the senior gardaí to whom I have spoken. They have suggested many gardaí stationed in rural stations could be utilised better, but how that will take effect must be explained.