Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the acting Garda Commissioner the best. He faces an onerous task in that capacity. On political interference, the witness said the Garda is autonomous in making the decision on where and when the stations are opened. It seems strange in our political situation that a Minister wanted the Stepaside station reopened in his constituency and it was the one that was picked. We are all from different areas of the country and we all wanted stations reopened yet it was this one that was picked, as several members have mentioned. It appears to the public that there was a politically motivated reason for reopening it rather than the reasons the witness has given here today. Will he comment on that? I accept that the Garda is autonomous and that politicians are not supposed to interfere but to Members of the Dáil it appeared that Stepaside station being reopened was politically motivated, with no other station considered at the time.