Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for State for the reply, which indicates that within 12 months the review will be completed, including the review of Garda boundaries.

I wish to put on the record my strongly held view that the decision by Assistant Garda Commissioner Jack Nolan, who was then based in the south east, to merge two districts was a terrible one. It was the worst decision on the policing of the south east at that time and to date. Two districts, Enniscorthy and Gorey, were merged into a single Garda district which has a population base of 85,000. It is bigger than seven or eight counties in the country. In that one district there is only one superintendent and two inspectors.

I want to put the negative impact of the decision on the area into context. I was informed that three new inspectors would be appointed for the three Garda districts in County Wexford, namely Wexford, New Ross and Enniscorthy. The latter comprises the two aforementioned merged districts. I did not jump for joy at this news because the population of the Enniscorthy district is equivalent to the population of the two other districts. The other two districts got one inspector each but Enniscorthy only got one new inspector, even though it has a population of 85,000.

I repeat that it was a terrible, if not ludicrous, decision. At one stage, there was talk of removing the civilian staff, the sergeants and the inspector from the district but thankfully that did not happen. The staff remained and Enniscorthy district now has four civilian staff, sergeants and an inspector. I want the Gorey district to be reinstated as a full policing district. It is one of the fastest growing districts in the country. To do what was done by the Assistant Garda Commissioner, Jack Nolan and the then Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, was reckless. I want that decision reversed.

The Minister of State has said that we will have a decision within a year and I look forward to that.

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