Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that there will be no change to the status of Garda stations at Bawnboy, Dowra and Killeshandra in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26652/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy and the House that it is a priority for this Government to maintain frontline services at the highest level possible.

I have been advised that the Commissioner is currently carrying out a review of the entire Garda organisation in the context of ensuring that the Force will be in a position to match the deployment of resources to its policing commitments as effectively as possible.

Clearly, an examination of the opening hours and in some cases the viability of Garda stations will form part of this. The issue of the closure of some Garda stations will be a question the Garda Commissioner will have to consider as part of this process. He may have to consider in appropriate cases whether a better policing service could be delivered to a local community by having Gardaí out on patrol instead of in a station.

I look forward to receiving the Commissioner's proposals, which will be aimed at maximising the efficiency of the Garda Síochána and prioritising the resources available to operational front-line policing services.