Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Molann Sinn Féin leasú ar an rún chun áird a tharraingt ar an gceist a bhaineann le stáisiúin na ngardaí agus ar na cainteanna atá a siúil faoi dhúnadh chuid acu. Although we agree in principle with the motion, we thought it was imperative to draw attention to the fact that there is a danger that the Garda stations in rural areas will be closed down and that up to 200 Garda stations could be pinpointed and the chief superintendents in each region have been asked to look at which stations should be closed down. That is happening in all areas across the county. I know from being at meetings locally in Connemara, that places like Letterfrack, Rosmuc, Carna and so on are being looked at. There is a deep unease about this for different reasons. One of the reasons cited for the possible closure of these Garda stations is the fact there is such a low level of crime. Surely the measure of success of these Garda stations is that there is such a low level of crime in these areas.