Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The first point I would make in response to Deputy Cahill's question is that the programme for Government contains a commitment to community policing. I recognise the importance of seeing community policing as the embodiment of the work of An Garda Síochána. At its best, community policing recognises the different challenges in urban and rural areas and the responses that are needed. The programme for Government contains a commitment to visible, effective and responsive policing in every community. Of course that depends on resources. We want to arrive at a point where we have the minimal response times possible. As I said in response to the questions about the O'Higgins commission, we need to have a very good response to the victims of crime, who need to be kept informed about what is happening.

The Policing Authority will undertake a review of the boundaries of Garda districts and the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas and developing urban and suburban areas, with a view to ensuring we have the best geographical distribution of Garda stations. This is something about which I have already spoken. I have outlined the details of the pilot scheme. I remind the House that a former Garda Commissioner recommended the closure of Garda stations. The Garda authorities would say that the new arrangements have allowed front-line gardaí to be managed with greater flexibility and mobility and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted police operations. It is very clear from current crime trends that targeted policing operations like Operation Thor are needed to deal effectively with different types of crime. As I have said, we will be in touch with the Policing Authority shortly to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to which I have referred.

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