Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was buried today. Last week none of us knew him but today we know his name, his commitment to his community and his exemplary sense of duty in his job. He was the type of person that this country needs. I send my deepest sympathy to his wife, his family and his colleagues in the Garda Síochána. His shocking death reminds us of the huge debt our society owes to An Garda Síochána and I acknowledge the central role it has played in providing security to the Irish people since the foundation of the State. Garda Donohoe died protecting his local community in the form of the credit union which is a core part of so many communities.

Community policing remains a central part of policing planning and the programme for Government recognises the desire that a higher priority be attached to community policing. Local knowledge is a vital component of successful policing. Older people in particular are comforted by the notion that a friendly garda is readily available. In cities foot patrols are highly effective in minimising crime. According to the Commissioner, the current reforms free members of the force from desk-bound jobs and will increase Garda visibility and patrol hours. Nobody here questions the vital need for a well-resourced, strong Garda force in tackling the evolving threat of criminality in Ireland. The Garda Síochána is undergoing the most ambitious restructuring of policing services since the foundation of our State. It is important, however, to stress that these changes are not aimed at saving money but at improving our policing services. New disciplinary structures have been put in place along with a Garda Inspectorate and a Garda Ombudsman Commission. Changing the administrative and physical lay-out of the organisation was an obvious next step. Already this year 38 Garda stations have closed. The sky has not fallen in and crime levels have remained subdued. Recent figures have shown a decrease in headline crimes. The number of burglaries has risen but those burglaries have been concentrated in densely populated areas that are unlikely to be affected by the proposed restructuring.

Modernisation should be welcomed. The number of police stations has remained practically unaltered since the days of the RIC. Through the decades successive Governments allowed buildings and services to deteriorate. As a result almost 300 stations now lack basic communication facilities, have neither fax nor broadband and need extensive refurbishment. Rather than kick this can further down the road, as previous Governments have done, this Government has opted for radical re-structuring. In a report to the last Government Colm McCarthy and his expert group recommended the closure of 350 Garda stations in response to the economic crisis. As with so many other crucial issues the previous Government did nothing. This Government is driving the reform agenda. Our gardaí do an invaluable job. As last week's tragic events have shown there is a bond of respect and trust in the community that will, please God, ultimately secure the evil men or women who cut short a brave young man's life.

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