Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The shortsighted decision to close rural Garda stations was very counter-productive and it has resulted in reduced confidence in rural communities in particular in respect of defence against criminal acts. One way by which they would be given greater confidence in local communities would be if the Government played a more proactive role in seeking to roll out a CCTV scheme for rural areas. We know many crimes committed in rural areas are by gangs using the motorways, coming to rural locations and attacking certain areas and leaving immediately afterwards on the motorway system. We need to ensure that people doing that type of criminal activity recognise that there is a threat that they will be apprehended by being spotted on a CCTV system. In order for this to work effectively, we need to have this run by An Garda Síochána. I know it is well intentioned for local communities to try to put a scheme together but it is extremely difficult for local people in communities to find the wherewithal to fill out the application form and come with part-funding for these schemes. We need to see this for what it is; it is an opportunity for An Garda Síochána and the State to defend communities against criminal activity and it should be rolled out on a more active basis by the Government.

See this speech in context