Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, to confirm the opening hours status of Boyle Garda station and to provide an update on the matter. There has been local speculation about changes to Boyle Garda station's opening times and I ask the Minister of State to provide reassurance and clarity in this regard. I am aware that the chief superintendent of the Longford-Roscommon Garda division has moved to allay concerns by stating these changes are not a retrograde step and will help make more gardaí visible in the community out on patrol and will ensure they are mounting more checkpoints. I also am glad to note the chief superintendent stated there would be no reduction in the number of front-line gardaí. All Members agree that it is vital to have a visible and effective police service on which families, businesses and communities can rely. All Members are aware that An Garda Síochána is undergoing reform and central to this reform is that the operational strategy is aimed at freeing up more gardaí from desk duties, increasing the number of patrols and enhancing visibility in rural areas in particular on a 24-7 basis. This allows gardaí to respond even faster to incidents and especially in the more remote areas, this must be welcomed.

The question must be asked as to whether this strategy is working. As the Minister of State probably will note, the evidence indicates it is working extremely well in County Roscommon. The data for 2014 indicate that Roscommon is the safest county in the country, with crime rates that are 53% below the national average. In comparison, the crime rate in Dublin is four times that of Roscommon, which has the lowest rate in the country at just 234 crimes recorded per 10,000 of population. While these figures are extremely positive, the sterling work of the Garda in Roscommon, as in every county, must continue on a daily basis to protect communities.

As for what the people seek, they are deeply concerned that the lack of opening times may affect people's access to Boyle Garda station. The Minister of State should relay this point to the Garda authorities to try to ensure its opening times remain the same. Two years ago, a commitment was given by the superintendent that the station's opening times would remain the same and the Garda should look into this and should live up to its commitment. Regarding the expectations of a 21st century police service, I make the point that it must retain the trust and confidence of the public and I believe it has done this to a great extent. Again, I understand that the Garda district in which Boyle was the main station amalgamated with Castlerea and there has been much speculation over the past two or three years that this might undermine people's security in rural areas. I am aware that many Garda stations have been closed in other areas and this has not had a negative impact on crime but has helped to reduce crime in those areas. I am not one of those politicians who will shout for the sake of shouting. I am not one of those politicians who will go about putting the fear of God into everybody. I understand that change must be made but on this occasion, I really believe that reducing the opening hours of Boyle Garda station is a drastic step. I believe the reduction from being open on a 24-hour basis to being open for six hours on one day and for two hours in the evenings is far too much. I ask the Minister of State to talk to the superintendent and to the Garda authorities to try to ensure they will consider this issue to allay the fears of the people on the ground.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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While he is at it, he might find out whether the former Commissioner was sacked.

Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has asked me to thank Deputy Feighan for raising this matter and to acknowledge his concern and measured approach in these matters. Members will be aware that decisions in respect of the allocation of resources, including station opening hours, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her operational requirements and that the Minister has no direct function in this matter. The Minister has been advised that the Garda authorities continue to identify and achieve organisational and operational efficiencies with a view to maintaining a robust and flexible organisation designed to meet existing and emerging policing challenges. Accordingly, decisions in respect of the allocation of resources are subject to ongoing analysis and review by the Commissioner and her senior management team to ensure the best use is made of available Garda resources. In this context, the Garda authorities completed a comprehensive review of their district and station network in 2013. The review was undertaken by An Garda Síochána to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reform to enhance service delivery and to increase operational efficiencies across the organisation.

The revised structures continue to support the Garda's community policing philosophy through the clustering of services at policing hubs. In a point made by the Deputy in his contribution, the centralisation of services facilitates the introduction of an enhanced patrolling system that is operational and intelligence-led. This patrol system will ensure that a high visibility and community oriented policing service continues to be delivered nationwide. It is designed to ensure there will be increased Garda visibility and patrolling hours, as well as increased mobility and flexibility within an area, resulting in an improved policing service to the public. In addition, the system will facilitate an enhanced co-ordination of Garda activity resulting in greater visibility and presence in communities, more effective use of the limited resources across a wider area and hopefully a continued Garda presence in communities.

The Minister has been informed that local Garda management has reviewed the hours during which Boyle Garda station currently is open to the public. In the context of providing an enhanced policing service to the newly enlarged district of Castlerea, these arrangements are designed to free up Garda personnel for outdoor policing duties who otherwise would be engaged in keeping the station open to the public. It is important to note the Minister has been assured that Boyle Garda station will remain a fully functioning station with Garda members providing a 24-hour service seven days a week.

There will be no reduction in the number of Garda personnel assigned to the station. The same level of resources and Garda patrols will continue to be deployed in the area. In addition, the Minister has been informed that the new times during which the station is open to the public will continue to be reviewed to ensure the revised arrangements are delivering an enhanced policing service.

The Minister has been informed by the Garda authorities that the new public opening hours for Boyle Garda station will take effect from Monday, 6 April. They are set out in the table which I have circulated. The Minister has been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that a comprehensive policing service will continue to be delivered in the area concerned and that the proposed structures will ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service to the community.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I take some consolation from the fact that there will be a fully functioning Garda station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also that there will be no reduction in the number of frontline gardaí. I will be keeping an eye on the opening hours at Boyle Garda station, which are open to review. As a community we can work closely together to ensure that we get the best possible result from this.

I come from a community that is very proud of its gardaí. My grandfather, James Feehily, was one of the first gardaí to join the new force at the foundation of this State. I come from a family and a community that has utter respect for the work, professionalism and integrity of the Garda Síochána.

Sometimes, however, I find it difficult to accept that gardaí can be an easy target in difficult times. We must remember that the Garda Síochána has defended the institutions of the State. Its members defended the country when there was a threat to the security of the State. I, for one, will always support the gardaí in their work. I understand there have been some difficult situations over the years and I am delighted that they have been addressed. As a politician, I will not take cheap shots at the men and women who protect this State.

Fine Gael is the party of law and order that has always tried to maintain the institutions of the State. I reiterate my total respect for and thanks to the hard-working, courageous men and women of An Garda Síochána.

Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I strongly share Deputy Feighan's sentiments concerning the support we need to give to our gardaí who do a very difficult job on our behalf. It is sometimes a thankless task. We are lucky to be well served in this country by our gardaí. The Garda Síochána is internationally recognised as being an excellent police force, particularly in how its members engage in community policing, reaching the fabric of Irish life at all levels.

These matters will continue to be kept under review both locally and nationally by Garda management. As I said, Boyle Garda station's opening hours have been examined with the express view of improving policing services in the area. The proposed new arrangements will free up gardaí for operational purposes. There will be no reduction in the number of Garda personnel assigned to the station. The same level of resources and Garda patrols will continue to be deployed in the area. That is a fluid situation which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Minister has been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied a comprehensive policing service will continue to be delivered in the area concerned and that the proposed structures will ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service for all of the community.