Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1066: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he has no intention of closing any of the existing 109 Garda district headquarters in the State, and yet refuses to even consider the provision of a 24 hour station to cover the North Kildare towns of Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge. [25893/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is the case that the use of Garda stations was considered as part of the major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative, SMI, programme of modernisation which looked in detail at a range of areas within the organisation. The Garda SMI 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 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 Act 2005 — 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.

I am informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place for Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the north Kildare area.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1067: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has sanctioned the revised sketch scheme for the new Leixlip Garda station in County Kildare; if not, when he will sanction same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25894/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda authorities are currently considering the revised sketch scheme, prepared by the Office of Public Works, for the proposed new Garda station for Leixlip. The Garda authorities will submit the scheme together with their observations to officials of my Department and, once agreed, it will be submitted to the Office of Public Works.