Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I dtosach, ba mhaith liom tagairt don méid a bhí le rá ag an Seanadóir Quinn ar ball. Ceist an-tromchúiseach é cead a thabhairt do fracáil ins an tír seo. I echo the sentiments of Senator Quinn on fracking. It would be a cause of serious concern even if it is allowed in a limited way. It is something we should debate as a matter of urgency.

I also agree with the sentiments of a number of Senators on the Pat Finucane case. I concur that the Taoiseach must use every opportunity to raise the issue and ensure a full, public inquiry is set up.

On a number of occasions I have asked that the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the North would be invited to speak in this Chamber. It would be timely for them to come to the Chamber to talk about what has been achieved through the peace process and the ongoing situation in the North. It would also be pertinent given the number of issues that have been raised concerning the North, ranging from Queen?s University, Belfast, the Pat Finucane inquiry, and the ongoing violence there on the raising of the flag over Belfast City Hall. We would all have a chance to ask them various questions on those issues.

I also note that at a meeting of the joint policing committee in County Galway yesterday, the chief superintendent told us that there has been a 44% increase in burglaries in rural County Galway. That is an alarming figure, but it is even more alarming coming after a budgetary announcement that 100 Garda stations will be closed in rural areas - ten of them in County Galway, which is the largest number in any county. I do not see how it all adds up that one would close Garda stations at a time when there is an increasing number of burglaries or that the Minister would contend that is a better way of policing. He was backed up by the local representative, Deputy Seán Kyne, who said he believed it would be a better model and would work better for rural areas. We should have a full, frank and open debate on the issue. I do not consider it a positive step. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has said it is a retrograde step. Ordinary gardaí have said they do not feel we should close Garda stations in rural areas. I would like to know where Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators stand on the issue because I have heard many people express worries and fears about the decline of rural areas.

The Garda station is an integral part of the rural fabric and Sinn Féin will oppose all station closures. I call on the Minister to come before the House for a full debate. He should set out the reasons he believes this is a better model of policing and his proposals to technically upgrade rural Garda stations to enable gardaí to do their job in the best way possible and reduce the alarming number of burglaries.