John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the expressions of sympathy to Caroline Donohoe on the death of her husband, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. This cowardly killing was an attack on our democratic institutions, as well as our country, and certainly cannot be tolerated.

I compliment Deputy Niall Collins on moving this motion. In 2012, the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Martin Callinan, stated the closure of rural Garda stations would impact on communities. This directly refutes the statement from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, that the closures would lead to the more efficient deployment of personnel and the more effective delivery of policing services to the public, including those in remote areas. Has the Garda Commissioner changed his mind or has the Minister ensured he was forced to change his mind? The Minister continually refuses to confirm the number at which the force should remain in the coming years. Reductions in Garda numbers jeopardise the Garda management's plans for the force and will force it to redraw its strategy. Will the Minister clarify his position on what the force's full complement should be?

Garda stations are very much part and parcel of rural communities. Last year the Minister closed stations throughout the country, with 100 more to close by the end of this month. There are concerns and fears in rural areas that people living there will no longer see a Garda presence in their communities. The Minister spoke about smart policing.

See this speech in context