Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is considering proposals for the full closure of some stations and the reduction of hours in others; if any stations in County Kildare fall into this category; his views on the effect it will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have no plans to reduce opening hours or close any Garda station. The use of Garda stations was considered as part of the major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative programme of modernisation which looked in detail at a range of areas within the organisation. The Garda strategic management initiative implementation steering group's final report, which I have laid before the House and which is available on my Department's website and from the Government Publications Office, does not refer to the closure of any specific Garda station, but rather makes recommendations to assist policy making in relation to the management and use of all available resources, including Garda stations.

It is also the case, however, that the position has changed significantly since the consideration of these issues under the strategic management initiative, in that the Garda Síochána Bill 2004, which proposes the most fundamental modernisation of the Garda Síochána since the foundation of the State, provides that the Commissioner will have enhanced responsibilities in preparing proposals for organisational reform. It would be premature to anticipate at this stage what proposals, if any, might be developed by the Commissioner in this context.