asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the grave concern of the people of Moycullen, County Galway and the surrounding district at the possibility of the local Garda station being reduced to the status of a one man station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Stations.
33.
As a result of the general review of Garda manpower to which I referred in recent Parliamentary Questions, I have decided to accept the Commissioner's recommendation to reduce the strength of the station at Moycullen from three to one.
In view of the alarm of the people in the district, including the publicans, will the Minister have second thoughts on this, particularly in view of the fact that housing has progressed there during the past 20 years to such an extent that the people deserve the same status in regard to the Garda station——
Think of the housing.
The Commissioner took all these matters into consideration. It is a very small community, in which there is no crime.
Will the Minister repeat his reply?
I cannot ask the Minister to repeat it.
Does he not want to give the information?
What information does the Deputy want? Is he able to make himself clear?
I suppose I am going into the goat's house looking for wool from the Minister.
Being a member of the goat tribe, the Deputy should know where to go for it.
I have asked the Minister would he reconsider his decision. Will he answer yes or no? Will he now reconsider?
If the Deputy is capable of reading he will find my answer which is that I have accepted the Commissioner's recommendation to reduce the strength of the station.
In view of the alarm of the people in the district, will the Minister reconsider it or will he turn the people down?
The Commissioner has made a decision and I accept his decision.
34.
asked the Minister for Justice whether it is proposed to close Knocklong Garda station, County Limerick; and, if so, why.
I would refer the Deputy to my detailed replies to recent Parliamentary Questions on the subject of closing of Garda stations.
I have accepted the Commissioner's recommendation that about 30 of the 750 stations in the country be closed in the interests of a redistribution of manpower which is long overdue. Knocklong is one of these stations.