Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Conway, Harte, Mullins and others spoke about the closure of Garda stations and rural policing. As Senator Darragh O'Brien mentioned, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, was in this House and dealt with such a situation on an Adjournment motion. The proposed closure of Garda stations were based on recommendations from the Garda Commissioner under the policing plan for 2012. They are a result of indepth assessment of the Garda authorities, the levels of activity and policing requirements for each station throughout the country. It is a firm objective of the Government to ensure that gardaí are freed up from unnecessary administrative tasks and are in a position to carry out the functions they have been trained to do, such as policing in communities and throughout the country.

There has been a focus of criticism to the effect that only modest cash savings can be made as a result of these closures. This is not solely about savings.