Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I second Senator Darragh O'Brien's amendment to the Order of Business.

I join in the calls for the Minister for Justice and Equality to attend the House to discuss the closure of rural Garda stations. The station in Tullyvin, just outside Cootehill, County Cavan, has been earmarked for closure. The Minister should outline to the people of rural Ireland who will be affected by the closures the actions he is taking to provide for adequate policing services in rural communities. Garda numbers are decreasing through natural wastage; there is a recruitment embargo and Garda cars are being removed from stations because they have reached the 300,000 km mark and not being replaced. It is time the Minister outlined to the House how he will provide for adequate policing services in rural Ireland in the years ahead.