Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

There are 703 Garda stations throughout the country which developed piecemeal. There was no plan in respect of their creation by this or previous Governments. In 2001, Northern Ireland had 140 police stations. The PSNI has 83 stations and under its reforming measures it is envisaged that approximately a further 35 stations will close in the period leading into 2015. The reality is that we have to take account of the fact that times have moved on. We have more modern communications systems and better intelligence than in the past. However meritorious and dedicated is the service of a single garda in a single station, it is not the efficient way to address organised crime. This change removes a member of the force from desk duty in a station which has limited footfall and facilitiates that member being used in front-line services.

I have to respect the statutory operational role of the Garda Commissioner in making operational decisions. While I sympathise and understand the Senator's concerns I do not want to give him any false comfort in this matter. The Garda Commissioner has conducted an overall review. He has reached a conclusion based on an operational assessment that there is no operational benefit to the Garda in keeping this station open. I have to respect that decision. I am not in a position to have that decision reviewed. The 31 stations being closed this year I anticipate are a prelude to further consolidation of Garda stations across the country so our resources are more efficiently used and gardaí are not doing work who could be better used in the front line to the benefit of local communities.

I assure the Senator that it is the Commissioner's absolute commitment to me that in communities where stations close he will ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to maintain a high and necessary level of policing. Where required he will consult with local communities to give them such additional information as they require and to receive from them such comment and information as they wish to share with him or those working under him to contribute to policing.