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

I clearly recall a commitment in the programme for Government on the introduction of a pilot scheme for the reopening of six Garda stations. The only conversation I have heard was about Stepaside in Dublin, which has not happened.

I certainly hope the Government is not sidestepping this issue because it is a commitment into which it entered. Where does this stand? Do we need to introduce legislation? I spoke to my constituency colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, about one Garda station that was closed some years ago under a different Commissioner. It is on a national primary route - the N5, a seriously busy route - in the village of Tarmonbarry, through which the River Shannon runs and which the Taoiseach travels through on a weekly basis. It is really important that the six Garda stations are reopened under the pilot scheme that was promised in the programme for Government.

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