Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My time is limited. Colleagues have gone over and back on operational matters and some of this information will need to be studied in the very near future. Huge learnings need to be made in regard to operational matters. I want to deal with a specific matter related to the amalgamation of the Louth division with the Cavan-Monaghan division. I have written to the Commissioner in regard to this. I think he has received correspondence from various joint policing committees, JPCs. The idea is that one chief superintendent will deal with the whole area. Some of the streamlining measures are welcome but I am not sure that a superintendent in Bailieborough, who would have responsibility for major crime, including intelligence-led operations, could deal with the entire divisional area. I say that given the significant issues that arise in the large towns of Dundalk and Drogheda, the M1 and the Border. Kerry is being maintained as a single division, and Donegal, which was to be amalgamated with Sligo and Leitrim, is to be maintained as a single division. I have worries in regard to how this will work out in terms of Garda operationality in future in this area.