Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

-----proposing that the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to discuss the closure of rural Garda stations, and indeed those not so rural, as my colleague has pointed out this morning. The latest stations to fall victim to the Minister's cuts in recent days have been Clontibret and Smithboro in County Monaghan and Tullyvin in County Cavan. While he is here I would like him to outline, in his capacity as Minister for Defence, what progress, if any, has been made in disposing of the four barracks that were closed in recent weeks. Maybe he would outline to the House how much it is costing the State to provide security at these barracks. I know, for instance, that in Cavan there are a number of security men on 24-hour duty, which is costing a substantial amount.

I also ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to the House. We read in the newspapers over the weekend and again today that the Minister intends to publish his blueprint for local government reform in June. I am particularly concerned about reports that the number of county councillors to be elected at the next local government elections will be dramatically reduced. Indeed, there are reports that he intends to do away with town councils altogether. This is an affront to democracy. Fianna Fáil is totally opposed to this measure, and the Minister should give the House the courtesy of coming here, prior to the publishing of any blueprint, to outline to us his plans in this regard.