Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister for Justice and Equality and Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, has asked me to thank the Senator for raising this matter, as it provides him with an opportunity to clarify the position on the important topic she has highlighted.

Before I continue, I know Members will join me, on behalf of the Minister, in again sending our deepest sympathy to the family, colleagues and friends of Garda Ciaran Jones who was swept away while helping members of the public in the most hazardous of conditions last Monday evening in County Wicklow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this dreadful and sad time.

It is important to put in context the matter raised by the Senator. Under plans agreed by the previous Government as part of its compliance with the terms of the EU-IMF agreement, Garda numbers are to be reduced to 13,500 by the end of this year and by a further 500 to 13,000 by 2014. However, what will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the force in the coming years. Difficult decisions will have to be made right across the public sector to bring the public finances back into balance. This means the Garda Síochána, like every other public sector body, is going to have to manage with reduced resources. The Garda Commissioner is, therefore, reviewing all aspects of policing operations, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations. No decision has been taken on the closure of any Garda station or a reduction of public opening hours in some stations. However, the Garda Commissioner will have to address these issues as part of the review. He may have to consider whether, in appropriate cases, a better policing service could be delivered to a local community by having Garda members out on patrol rather than in a station. The Minister will carefully consider the outcome of the review and the Garda Commissioner's policing plan for next year with the objective of ensuring priority is given to the maintenance of front-line Garda services at the highest level possible.

On behalf of the Minister, I pay tribute to the Garda Síochána at this particularly difficult time for the commitment and professionalism it displays in carrying out its duties, as exemplified recently by the selfless sacrifice made by Garda Ciaran Jones. The Minister is confident that the Garda will continue to maintain the confidence of the public and operate successfully, as it has been doing so effectively since the foundation of the State.