Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
195. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any consultation took place with the Garda Representative Association in the drafting of the policing plan for 2013 which recommended the closure of 100 Garda stations across the State. [11949/13]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána articulates its strategic plans by way of a Strategy Statement and an Annual Policing Plan. The Strategy Statement 2013-2015 which was published on 25 January 2013 will be actioned through a series of three annual Policing Plans, the first of which is the Policing Plan for 2013. A significant consultation process was undertaken in the preparation of the Strategy Statement 2013-2015 and this process included consultations with all the representative associations. I am also informed by the Garda authorities that all Garda staff associations were briefed on the Organisation Change and Development programme which included station closures and district amalgamations.
