Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government includes a commitment to erect CCTV cameras on all major junctions on the motorway network. When I raised this matter with the previous Taoiseach in this House a few weeks ago, I did not get a very good response. There are two motorways - the M9 and the M7 - in my constituency. As I said earlier, organised gangs are coming from the cities to target rural businesses and steal from them. In one case in May of this year, a gang came from Dublin to Urlingford, which is a small village in north Kilkenny, to rob from a business. They took the lot and were in and out in 13 minutes. They got back onto the motorway, which enables criminals to travel 100 miles in any direction from the scene of a crime within an hour. I believe they were back in Dublin within an hour. What is the status of this legislation?

In a recent response to a parliamentary question, the Minister indicated that the Garda Commissioner is likely to sanction the reopening of Leighlinbridge Garda station in County Carlow. I add my support to the reopening of Leighlinbridge and ask the Minister to take a close look at County Kilkenny as well. In Kilkenny and Castlecomer, two Garda stations cater for districts with huge rural and urban populations and I ask the Government to consider 24-7 services at these stations or, failing this, an additional allocation. Stations in rural towns close down at certain times and Kilkenny city takes on responsibility. I ask that these rural towns, especially the designated towns, have enough gardaí to cover areas where several Garda stations have been closed down.

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