Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State. I know she is not responsible for this Department or for the response she just gave, but the response was, to say the least, pitiful and shameful. It did not address in any way the concerns of people living in my area. We all know the Commissioner is responsible for detailed allocation of resources - there is nothing new in that - but the Commissioner can only deal with the resources he is given. Unfortunately, it appears that Garda stations are closing. Thirty-nine Garda stations in the State have closed over the last six months, of which three - or 8% - are in my own county. While crime is escalating because of the recession, the resources being made available to tackle that crime and protect people in their homes are not sufficient. I am not pointing the finger at the Minister of State, but if the Garda Commissioner is forced into a situation in which he must close Glenties Garda station, it is up to the Minister to provide the resources to ensure that station remains open, because it is on his head if crime escalates or if lives are lost as a result of those decisions to save a few euro. Yes, we are in difficult times, but ultimately we must protect our people. The Garda is doing an excellent job, but if one speaks to members of the force at the moment, they will say they are finding it very difficult.