asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the unsuitability of the present Garda station in Fermoy town, County Cork; and, if so, if any efforts are being made to provide a new one or a more suitable premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Stations.
63.
The Commissioners of Public Works have under active consideration the question of providing a new Garda station at Fermoy. I am not in a position to give any further information at the moment.
64.
asked the Minister for Justice if there are any proposals in his Department to close any further Garda stations in Cork County; and, if so, the stations involved.
The commissioner of the Garda Síochána has advised that Leap Garda station can be closed without loss of police efficiency in the area.
Apart from the case of Castlemartyr to which I have previously referred, I have no proposals for the closure of any other stations in County Cork.
As part of the general review which is now in progress future police arrangements in County Cork will be examined by the research and planning unit of the Garda Síochána but at this stage I can give no indication of the outcome.
I did not catch the figure mentioned in the first instance.
The commissioner has advised that Leap Garda station can be closed without loss of police efficiency in the area. Apart from the case of Castlemartyr, to which I have previously referred, there are no proposals for the closure of other Garda stations in County Cork, but there is a general review of the situation going on under a research and planning unit of the Garda Síochána, set up as a result of the Conroy Commission, which is inquiring into the general deployment of the force among other matters. I cannot say what the result of that will be but as of now there are no proposals for the closure of any stations in County Cork other than Castlemartyr and Leap.
65.
asked the Minister for Justice if, since his reply to Question No. 36 of 28th April, he has received any recommendations from the Garda commissioner for the closure or reduction in strength of any rural Garda station; if so, which stations; and what opportunities will be available to local interests to make objections to the proposed changes.
I have not, in the meantime, received any recommendations from the commissioner for the closing or reduction of Garda stations, but that is not to say that the question is not under examination by the research and planning unit established by the commissioner, with Government approval, following on a recommendation of the Conroy Commission.
As indicated in the answer given on 28th April, the Garda authorities always take into account local reports as to the views of responsible citizens.
Were recommendations in regard to this station in Cork not made since that date?
The Minister has not received any recommendation from the commissioner.
I was told there were none at all and then I heard about this other one. It does not matter anyway. Will the Minister consider making public in future hard figures for the crime rate in the area where a closure is taking place so that people will know whether or not it has any serious effect on the crime rate?
The suggestion made by the Deputy will be conveyed to the Minister but I should not like to undertake the decision on the policy matter concerned, in his absence.
66.
asked the Minister for Justice the policy with regard to reducing manpower at rural Garda stations and sub-stations.
70.
asked the Minister for Justice what measures are taken to ensure that law and order will prevail in areas where Garda stations or sub-stations or both are reduced in staff or closed.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 70 together.
As I have indicated on a number of occasions in replies to Parliamentary questions and in public statements, the distribution of the Garda Síochána is being reviewed by a research and planning unit with a view to ensuring that the strength at various centres will be used to the best possible advantage and fulfilment of public needs.
No station is closed without a certificate by the commissioner that he is satisfied that the station can be closed without detriment to the efficient policing of the area. The assessment of the police requirements in any area is a matter primarily for determination by professional policemen who are the best judges of methods of prevention and detection of crime and of police needs in the locality.
Is the Minister aware that considerable disquiet has been caused in rural areas by suggestions from official quarters that Garda stations are to be closed in these areas and that this is a very serious matter?
I am aware that disquiet has arisen in some cases and in all such cases, as I have indicated earlier, the views of responsible local citizens are taken into account but ultimately the decision to close a station is not taken without a certificate from the commissioner that he is satisfied that the policing of the area will be no less effective than it was before.
How do you decide who are responsible local people? Have the Department any procedure for notifying local residents' associations or committees of that kind in order to ensure that this consultation is on a sound institutional basis?
I am not sure how people learn of these things but they do learn of them. There is no doubt about that.
Would not supplying the information to them officially be a more useful method than relying on rumour?
As I said, I am not sure of the manner in which they receive the information but of one thing the House need have no doubt and that is that they do receive the information.
Is the Department prepared to receive a deputation on these matters or is it just a matter of writing letters?
That is a separate question.
67.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is intended to close the Garda station at Ferrybank, Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no proposal from the commissioner in regard to the closing of Ferrybank Garda station. As part of the general review of the distribution of the force which is now in progress, future police arrangements in this locality will be examined by the research and planning unit of the Garda Síochána, but at this stage I can give no indication of the outcome.
68.
asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to commence building the new Garda station at Kanturk, County Cork.
I am informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that a site has been acquired for a new station at Kanturk and that sketch plans are being prepared; but pending the completion of detailed drawings and invitation of tenders it is not possible to say when building is likely to commence.
69.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the amount of State money invested in forestry in the area, the presence of a television booster station, the recent increase in robberies in the area and the great distance from the nearest Garda transport, he will reconsider the decision to close Feakle Garda station, County Clare.
I can assure the Deputy that before a decision is taken to close any Garda station, all the relevant factors relating to the locality concerned are fully considered.
Following the putting down of this question I consulted the commissioner, Garda Síochána, who assured me that he was satisfied that the decision to close Feakle Garda station should stand. The commissioner has told me that the area will be effectively policed from the surrounding stations at Scariff, Tulla, Crusheen, Shanaglish, Gort and Woodford.
In a matter of this kind it must be left to the professional competence of the police to deal with police problems.
Is the Minister aware that in the past few months almost all the post offices in East Clare and many other businesses were broken into and robbed? That was during the time of the television strike when the local gardaí were occupied for over 1,000 hours guarding the television booster station. In this district there are over 2,000 acres of forestry land, five schools, including one four-teacher school——
The Deputy is now making a statement.
I am coming to the question. There are three points of signing for unemployment benefit. All this represents a full day's work for the gardaí. The district of Woodford that the Minister mentioned is 25 miles at the other side of the Slieve Aughty mountain without any direct surfaced road. I fail to see how they could police the area from there or other stations. Because of these considerations would the Minister reconsider the decision until such time as he has had local advice? I understand this was decided at headquarters and that it was only yesterday the decision was communicated to the local district from the commissioner's office.
I would say, Sir, that I did mention other places besides Woodford which, according to my information, is 18 miles away. I did mention other places some of which are much closer. I can only say that the Minister did review the situation again and the result was as I have indicated to the House.
The remaining questions will appear on next Wednesday's Order Paper unless, in the meantime, Deputies will take written answers.