Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

There is serious alarm across Donegal about possible Garda station closures. Local newspapers and other media have reported the story, as well as naming the locations involved. It all started because a report in The Irish Times which specifically mentioned 24 stations across County Donegal that had been put to the Garda Commissioner. I tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for Justice and Equality but I am not happy with the response. The Minister's reply said he understood the Garda Commissioner is currently carrying out a review. Is it not correct that the Commissioner has been told to save money and make cutbacks? He has put this request to chief superintendents throughout the State and has got the identities of stations. The stations that have been publicly named in County Donegal are as follows: Carrick, Glencolumcille, Annagry, Burtonport, Creeslough, Dunfanaghy, Rathmullen, Ramelton, Pettigo, Churchill, Brockagh, Carrigans, Newtoncunningham, Raphoe, Convoy, Malin and Culdaff. Others have been mentioned also.

Across those communities there is serious concern, so I call on the Minister to state that no Garda stations will be closed in County Donegal under his watch. Fine Gael sets itself up as a law and order party. The Minister has met many delegations with chief superintendents to discuss crime in Donegal. Recently, we had a spate of arson attacks and burglaries. In addition, we have had road traffic incidents. Donegal is a difficult rural county to police. We have lost Garda officers as those who retired have not been replaced due to the recruitment moratorium. The Minister should state simply that no Garda stations will be closing in County Donegal. I urge him to do that now.

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