Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the Garda plan drawn up by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris, and his team has the full support of independent bodies like the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. It represents an integral part of the reform proposals as outlined in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, chaired by the expert, Ms Kathleen O'Toole.

I do not believe that there is evidence to suggest that the location of a divisional headquarters in one county is diminishing of policing in another. The operating model will enhance the investigation of crime by delivering a greater range of specialised services in local areas such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence related crimes, and new forms of crime that we have not prosecuted previously, including cybercrime and economic crime. I do not subscribe to the view that this is a downgrade of policing in Cavan and Monaghan, in Carlow and Kilkenny, or in other parts of the country.