Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment. I will keep my comments as brief as possible. Senator Ó Clochartaigh made the point about the use of the benchmark of crime levels rather than that of crime being prevented. I wish to take up the mantle for rural Ireland and to describe from personal experience the effect of the closure of Garda stations. The geographical spread of settlement in rural areas means that older people have become vulnerable to crime. The economic situation means that some people who are struggling and who are aware that the nearest garda may be 20 km away and will not be available to give chase, have been tempted to commit crime.

The closure of Garda stations has become a green light for crime. Although we have the Neighbourhood Watch scheme and members of communities are looking out for one another, there is a point at which one needs a Garda presence to act as a deterrent and ensure follow-up and sufficient reaction times. Comments were made in the other House about tweeting gardaí or finding them on Facebook but this will not mean very much for an elderly woman who is shaking with fear in her home when there is somebody breaking in downstairs. Such a woman cannot tweet or find the Garda on Facebook. If one's local garda is so far away, it raises serious issues.

In my county, three Garda stations, namely those in Bawnboy, Redhills and Stradone, have been closed. This has been a serious blow to the community and to community policing.

Tomorrow I will be raising in the House the issue of local bank closures. It is felt that when businesses must bring money further afield to lodge owing to bank closures, they will increasingly become targets for criminals. This is where a local garda in a small town could make a big difference.

In our amendment, we have highlighted the issue of resources. In rural settings, it is essential that gardaí have equipment and accommodation that is fit for purpose, including secure digital radio, satellite navigation systems, Internet and e-mail access, and suitable transportation. The question of transport has been highlighted on numerous occasions. Gardaí have had to request on occasion that a person who rang them should collect them to bring them to the scene of a suspected crime. In this day and age, that is completely unacceptable. In rural settings, as elsewhere, the importance of having Garda equipment and accommodation that is fit for purpose cannot be overstated.

I agree that gardaí deserve commendation on their work on community policing and supporting Neighbourhood Watch schemes. I note the establishment of the JPCs has been valuable, although I, like many, believe they could have more teeth.

There is a need to maintain the number of gardaí at a level sufficient to provide the most effective and efficient policing service to all communities. However, the number is simply not being retained at an adequate level. It is in that context that we are proposing our amendment. I call on the Government to support it and I welcome Fianna Fáil's support therefor.