Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I apologise to Senator O'Brien for the fact that the Minister is not here to take this issue, in which the Senator has an enormous interest. I thank him for raising it. As with every other public sector organisation, the Garda Síochána will have to manage with reduced resources. The House will also be aware that, 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.

The Garda Commissioner has therefore quite properly been reviewing all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, in terms of opening hours and possible closures. The purpose of the review is to ensure that Garda resources are managed and deployed in the most appropriate manner to meet existing and emerging policing requirements and to maintain Garda front line services, which is entirely consistent with Government policy.

Clearly, an examination of the opening hours, and in some cases the viability, of stations forms part of this. In that regard the Garda Commissioner is considering whether efficiencies could be introduced through rationalisation of some Garda stations and revised arrangements for the delivery of local policing services.

A final decision on whether station closures will take place, and if so what stations, will be taken in the context of the Commissioner's draft policing plan for 2012 and will be announced shortly. Therefore, I cannot directly answer Senator O'Brien's question on behalf of the Minister. His answer will depend on the Commissioner's policing plan, which I understand will be announced shortly. The policing plan will also be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. I presume colleagues will have an opportunity to debate the matter at that stage, either in committee or in plenary sessions of the Houses.

Before I conclude I would like on behalf of the Minister to pay tribute to the Garda Síochána. The Minister is fully aware that its members will bring their professionalism to bear on the task of identifying efficiencies and in looking at new ways to maximise the effective use of resources. The Minister is confident that the Garda force 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.

The key objective in this matter is to maintain numbers so that the front line is not affected by an obvious rationalisation or new efficiencies which might be brought to bear. I am sure that is the ambition of us all.