Mr. Brian Purcell:

That issue is being examined. We have had discussions on the matter. The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality made a good suggestion on this matter, which is being examined. The availability of those buildings would then facilitate a requirement for a Garda presence on an occasional basis. There are other ways of dealing with the issue. The Garda has vehicles that could be used to give an indication of a visible Garda presence even in areas in which Garda stations have closed. The point I am trying to make is that the deployment of resources is an operational matter for the Commissioner. Both the Minister and the Commissioner are acutely aware of the issue and whatever is done will be done in a way that will maximise the-----