At a joint policing committee meeting on Monday last, the Garda outlined that there has been a 20% increase in crime levels in rural areas of Galway. Some ten Garda stations have been closed and 27 Garda vehicles have been taken out of commission in the areas to which I refer.

The Deputy might be better served by tabling a Topical Issue on the matter.

In the context of the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to the effect that he will consider this issue and see to it that additional vehicles are provided to the Galway division of An Garda Síochána.

When is the Bill due?

I am not in a position to indicate when it will be introduced but the statistics for crime show a drop across all categories throughout most areas of provincial Ireland.

There has been a 20% increase in Galway.

I do not have the figures for Galway to hand.

Perhaps the Deputy might table a parliamentary question on the matter.

Some 27 Garda cars have been taken out of commission in the area.

In the neighbouring country, there was a drop of 6% in the crime rate despite the fact that ten stations were closed. We will examine the matter for the Deputy.

I thank the Taoiseach.