Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The promotions announced by the Minister this morning are the subject of a later question. Could he confirm that a so-called transition team has been established in the Department of Justice and Equality? When was it established, who makes up the team, and what are its terms of reference?

Reference was made to the announced closure of 39 stations. The Minister indicated in January that a further range of stations would be closed during 2012. Will it be the 2013 budget before the Minister has that list or will it be an ongoing process?

On cost savings, which the Minister cited previously as one of the reasons we need to close Garda stations, he corresponded with me to say that the running costs for individual Garda stations are not available because they are compiled by district, not by station. It is no wonder he cannot provide a figure for savings made on the closure of each station when he cannot give a figure for the cost of running each station.

On the opposition of Deputies to the closure of Garda stations------

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