Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In view of the night that is in it, I do not propose to dwell on the motivation of the party that has tabled this motion, other than to say that it proposed major Garda Síochána cutbacks to the troika when it was in power. Leaving such hypocrisy aside, this motion merits the support of the House despite its provenance. Every Member of this House recognises the important role that gardaí play at the forefront of our communities, in dealing with everyday issues such as traffic management and more serious concerns of crime. For that reason, an attack on local Garda stations is an attack on our communities.

I do not need to remind people about the high-profile burglaries that have taken place throughout the north west recently. These burglaries have caused panic and alarm among many residents, especially elderly people. Many rural areas of my constituency, Sligo-North Leitrim, are sparsely populated. Many of my constituents are frightened about what the closure of local garda stations will mean for them. Every person in this country has a right to enjoy the comfort of safety, protected by the knowledge that a member of the Garda Síochána in the local area can be contacted in case of an emergency. The closure of these Garda stations has removed that vital sense of security. In addition, the invaluable local knowledge gained by gardaí living in small towns and villages will be lost forever. In my constituency, the Garda stations in Aclare, Ballyfarnon, Easkey, Cloone, Dromod, Keshcarrigan, Dromahair, Glenfarne and Cliffoney are to be closed. All of these stations are vital parts of their respective communities. The environment for the residents of the areas in question has been changed for the worse.

The Minister has claimed that the Garda station network was established at a time when gardaí travelled on bicycles. As I have pointed out to him previously, criminals are no longer using bicycles for transport. A gang can carry out a spate of burglaries in an area before moving quickly to another area, or another jurisdiction, with little chance of detection. A criminal gang that carries out robberies in County Sligo or County Leitrim could come from County Galway or County Tyrone, or vice versa. Gardaí must be equipped in a way that allows them to respond to crimes swiftly. Their visual presence in an area, especially a rural area, must be seen as form of deterrent for criminal gangs.

There has been a reduction in the manpower available to the force. The training college in Templemore has been closed for a number of years. Older gardaí who have retired have not been replaced. There is a risk that the number of active gardaí in our communities could fall to a dangerously low level. Cuts in allowances and overtime payments to gardaí have also hindered the manpower of the force. An adequate number of gardaí should be on duty at all times to ensure the needs of people are catered for. The criminals responsible for the recent attacks on communities and on gardaí are not ignorant. It would be dangerous to disregard them as fools. They are serious and clinical in their actions. They are capable of the most heinous crimes. It is likely that they are monitoring this debate. They are probably looking at the areas where stations are being closed and planning their actions accordingly. The Minister is putting communities at risk by ordering these closures.

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