Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given that her portfolio is an enormous one, I acknowledge that the Tánaiste, as the senior Minister in the Department, is here. It is important that she is here. I also acknowledge what the Tánaiste said about the superintendents and the Commissioner, but the Tánaiste needs to communicate this message back. In 2010, 183 gardaí were in service in County Roscommon. I understand the figure is now down to 169. This is a 7.7% drop and means there are 14 fewer gardaí. In the Galway division, which is part of the Galway region, covering Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Ballygar, Creggs, Ballymoe, Glennamaddy, and Williamstown, in 2010 we had 54 gardaí, but it is now down to 46 gardaí. That is a 14.8% decrease. It is clear that rural Ireland is losing out.

I will give a few examples. In 2010, the town of Boyle had 30 gardaí. It is now down to 26 gardaí, which is a 13.3% drop. In 2010, the town of Ballinasloe had 46 gardaí. It is now down to 41 gardaí, which is a 10.9% drop. This is a crisis. Will the Tánaiste go back with a very strong message on policing in rural Ireland? It is not being addressed, the numbers are falling away and Garda stations are closing.

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