Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I know the Deputy does not expect me to announce this afternoon which stations will close. We have the Garda Commissioner's report and this has to go to the Cabinet before we make a final decision. I am not being misleading in any way when I say to the Deputy that I am not in a position to make announcements until Cabinet colleagues have been made aware of the content of the report and a final decision has been made. That decision will announced next week.

There is no reason for any community anywhere in the country to be alarmed. The proposals for closures do not apply to the very large numbers that some media outlets have been predicting. The proposals are designed to ensure greater policing effectiveness and not less. They are designed to ensure that members of the Garda Síochána are available for front line services and not engaged in administrative functions behind the desk at Garda stations that have very little footfall, or in circumstances where they would be better off out on patrol or engaging in investigation work. The proposals also apply to stations that are in such close proximity to other stations that it simply makes no sense to have two stations so close to each other. The major savings in this will be in more effective and efficient use of Garda time.

If Garda stations close, they are held by the OPW as they are the property of the State. I am dependent on a decision being made by Cabinet colleagues on the use of funds that may arise from the disposal of buildings consequent on the closure of stations. We have to address that issue.

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