Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the Minister's comments. The brutal murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe has left a young widow and family bereaved. Any information that would help, however large or small, could only be of huge benefit to the investigation.

I thank the Minister for his response. He made the point that he did not wish to second guess the Commissioner and I understand his wish. This is not a cost-cutting measure. My concern is that the decision is somewhat unilateral. I do not know whether there was a conversation with members of the force up or down or from the rank of the chief superintendent whom I assume passed his or her recommendation up the line. It is my opinion that the region concerned is too large to leave a station without a senior garda. There should be one senior garda of inspector or superintendent rank in a station of this size. Gorey has a population of 10,000 and the district has a population of about 40,000. I want to see the data and research that has gone into formulating the decision. If somebody can stand over the data then I would be quite happy to support the Minister's decision but I do not believe that the data exists. The decision was unilateral and a little bit arbitrary. I disagree with the decision.

How does the Minister view the retention of senior garda at inspector range in a division or district like this? I have been told that this is not a precedent.