Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator for raising the issue. However, I do not think that a single garda in a station in Tarmonbarry can provide protection for the local community from criminal gangs. It requires a great deal more than that from the Garda Síochána than can be undertaken by any single member of the Garda, no matter how dedicated.

A similar issue was raised in the House yesterday, as the Senator mentioned, in respect of the closure of Corrandulla Garda station in Galway. Many of the points I made then equally apply to the closure of Tarmonbarry and Loughglynn Garda stations. Notwithstanding this, the Garda Commissioner and I are fully aware of the potential impact of the closure of any Garda station on the community it serves. This is why local Garda management in places where a station is going to close will consult local communities to determine how best to continue to deliver a policing service in their area. It is also the reason the commissioner has reiterated the commitment of the Garda Síochána to providing a professional and effective service to the community in all areas of the country, including Loughglynn and Tarmonbarry.

As the Senator is aware I recently laid before this House the policing plan for 2012. This plan, prepared by the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, sets out the proposed arrangements for the policing of the State during the coming year. Under that plan, 31 Garda stations will be closed from 2012 and a further eight stations which are currently non-operational will be formally closed. Tarmonbarry and Loughglynn Garda stations are among the 31 stations due to close in 2012. In addition, the public opening hours of ten other stations will be reduced. These stations currently open to the public on a 24 hour basis but, in future, will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day.

In reaching these decisions the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies, the operation of Garda stations in terms of opening hours, and possible closures. Additional divisional offices were asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda station in their area. Based on all the evidence, the commissioner concluded the resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line. These particular stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained. This is a very important point as with every other public sector organisation, the Garda Síochána will have to manage with reduced resources.

The House will be aware that Garda numbers are being reduced under plans agreed by the previous Government arising from the commitments made in the EU-IMF agreement. It is vital, therefore, that the best use is made of the available resources and, in particular, that priority is given to front-line operational duties. Both Tarmonbarry and Loughglynn Garda stations are in the Roscommon-Longford Garda division. Tarmonbarry is in the Boyle district, as mentioned, which has a total complement of 38 gardaí at all ranks. Loughglynn is in the Castlerea district which has a complement of 48 gardaí at all ranks. The divisional strength is 291. These divisional resources are augmented, as necessary, by national units such as the Garda national drugs unit and the National Bureau for Criminal Investigation.

I pay tribute to the Garda Síochána, as I did yesterday. I have complete confidence in the capacity of the force to continue to provide an excellent policing service in the communities affected by all the closures, including Tarmonbarry and Loughglynn. The Garda Commissioner should have the support of the House as he introduces necessary reforms to ensure that Garda resources are used as effectively as possible in order that the best possible policing service is provided to the public. In that context, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have to be guided by the operational assessments and decisions made by the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, it would not be appropriate that I would second-guess a decision of the Commissioner in regard to operational matters.

In regard to two matters raised by the Senator, each of the Garda stations being closed is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works and are important assets owned by the State. Work is taking place on some of those properties to ensure they are maintained in a proper condition because it is intended that the properties will be sold or used for other purposes and, where appropriate, utilised to provide community services, provided no further additional expenditure falls on the State thereafter. There is a responsibility to ensure the premises do not fall into disrepair, are maintained in good condition and, where there are roofing issues, they are addressed in order that buildings do not deteriorate and an asset is not lost.

I regret to learn of the experience of the Senator's sister in the appalling incident he described. Unfortunately, a number of people throughout the country have been affected by similar incidents. I was interested to hear the Senator say that the gang involved were intercepted following the incident. A number of such incidents have been successfully investigated by the Garda Síochána and have resulted in prosecutions being undertaken. A number of individuals who have engaged in that type of criminality are guests of longevity of the State within our prisons.