asked the Minister for Justice if, having implemented the Conroy Report in so far as the hours of duty of the Garda are concerned, he is now satisfied that sufficient numbers of gardaí are available in rural areas at all times to deal effectively with any serious transgression of law and order.
Written Answers. - Garda Rural Strength.
53.
I do not consider that a question of this kind admits of a simple "yes" or "no" answer and I would also point out that we are not speaking of a static situation but of one that is constantly changing.
Serious transgressions of law and order in rural areas have in the past been reasonably dealt with by calling on the resources of the larger stations and centralised branches of the Garda Síochána.
I make no secret of the fact that, like every Minister for Justice before me, I would like to see more gardaí available but, as a member of the Government, I recognise that the resources of the community are limited and that there are many competing demands on the Exchequer. I believe that, in general, the present position in rural areas is not bad but it is my hope that I can improve it.