I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 292, inclusive, together.
I have no plans to reduce the opening hours of any Garda station or to alter the number of Garda stations in the Dublin metropolitan region or any region. 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 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, does not refer to the closure of any specific Garda station. Rather, it makes recommendations to assist policy making on 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. The Garda Síochána Bill 2004, which proposes the most fundamental modernisation of the Garda 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.