Mr. Paddy Byrne:

To add to Mr. Cronin's comments and Deputy Mac Lochlainn's question, the reality of Garda station closures comes down to economics. Most of those stations were already closed or not functioning properly at the time. There are alternatives that have been put forward and we are a completely community-based organisation; the ethos is community self-help. There has been much talk of post office closures but post offices in some areas could be used as a one day per week Garda station at certain times. We also have a network of approximately 180 to 190 community councils dotted around the country. Most of those councils have community centres and halls, and there is also the possibility that Garda stations could be put in those on a day per week or fortnight. This would mean gardaí would be more visible in rural areas. The Garda stations would not be replaced but at least gardaí would be more visible on a weekly or fortnightly basis.