James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the danger posed to rural communities by the Government's reduction of Garda numbers in order to centralise personnel to fight urban gangland crime rather than providing the promised extra gardaí. This is now particularly relevant, given the recessionary influence on criminal activity. The shortage of personnel is leading to increased violence, crime and vandalism in country areas, as evidenced by the theft of a car transporter last weekend in County Westmeath and the wanton destruction of nine top of the range cars, which highlights the invitation to crime from reducing visible Garda numbers in rural areas.

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