Vol. 411 No. 4
74 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice the reason such areas as Broadford, Dromcollogher and parts of Feohenagh and Raheenagh of County Limerck were taken out of the Newcastle West division in the rural policing review; the reason they were included in the Mallow Garda division; and if he will restore these areas again to the Newcastle West Garda division which would be more effective.
The Garda authorities, in consultation with the local Garda officers, reviewed the organisation of the Newcastle West Garda district with a view to implementing the new Community policing scheme. The authorities concluded that the transfer of the Dromcollogher Garda sub-district from the Newcastle West to the Mallow Garda district was required to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme. I accept the professional assessment of the Garda authorities that this transfer is the right course of action and is in the better interests of the people who live in the areas in question.
75 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations in County Carlow which will have reduced opening hours following the latest plan for rural policing.
It is not possible to say what increases or reductions there would be in station opening hours when the new community policing scheme is extended to all stations in County Carlow. The crucial point about the new scheme is that it will ensure guaranteed station opening hours at fixed times in contrast to the present situation in which actual opening hours are hugely unpredictable and often significantly less than those the public might expect.
