Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The position with regard to some of the new Garda divisional headquarters and areas is mental. I do not say that lightly. It is crazy. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, has brought to my attention issues with new divisions in Cork, Monaghan, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Kildare. The one relating to my county is insane. The headquarters are in Ennis in County Clare. There are headquarters in Limerick, Ennis and Galway. A lot of business is done in and large volumes of traffic go through Tipperary, but it does not have a headquarters. Imagine travelling from Ballyvaughan to Carrick-On-Suir across an area comprising 2,000 sq km. The scale of the division is too big. The AGSI has expressed serious concerns that its members will be able to operate within it. I ask that the divisions be re-examined. I met the Garda Commissioner to discuss this matter over a period of two years, without satisfaction. From a Government and a security point of view, can the Minister ask that the divisions be re-examined?

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