149 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice when she proposes to appoint a new sergeant to Ballinrobe Garda Station, County Mayo; if she has satisfied herself with the level of Garda manpower to cover the southern part of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2584/97]

The deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that Ballinrobe garda station is the area headquarters for Kilmaine, Shrule and Cong Stations under the community policing initiative in operation in those areas.