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

I thank the Tánaiste for her reply. However, my understanding is that no new recruit came west of the River Shannon. Perhaps they came to Longford but, as far as I understand, no new recruit came west of the River Shannon.

I acknowledge the Tánaiste's reply. However, in the Roscommon-Galway division, seven Garda stations have been closed. Even if it were the case that just one or two of them were closed, I would not agree with it. Termonbarry is a beautiful village on the N5, a major route to the west and the River Shannon near it. Its Garda station is closed. Ballymoe is a busy part of County Galway; its Garda station is closed. I can also mentioned Knockcroghery, Ballyforan, Loughglinn, Ballintober and Cootehall. Take the closure of Cootehall Garda station, which is in the Boyle region. The number of gardaí in the Boyle Garda station, which was a 24-hour service that has now been cut back as well, has dropped by four, along with the closure of Cootehall Garda station in the same region. These are the issues and I ask the Tánaiste to bring back a strong message to the superintendents and the Commissioner. We need a change in policy and we need more gardaí in rural Ireland, particularly in Roscommon-Galway, the constituency in which I live.

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