The Garda authorities have informed me that they are not convinced that the opening of a new Garda station at Portrane-Donabate is justified at this time. They point out that the difficulty with opening a new Garda station, apart from the capital cost involved, is that it would absorb personnel which could be better used on outdoor patrol duties. The essential point they make is that it is far better to maximise the number of gardaí available for outdoor patrol and crime duties rather than tie up personnel indoors in staffing a new Garda station. The Portrane and Donabate areas form part of the Swords sub-district and are policed from Swords station on a 24-hour basis. Patrols are regularly carried out by uniformed patrol cars, detective vehicles and drug and task force patrols. In addition, the community Garda service has been recently extended to provide two such community gardaí who have the use of a community police van to assist them in carrying out their duties. The community gardaí also hold a clinic each week at the Portrane Credit Union office and they also provide crime prevention advice to the public on local radio.