In the programme for Government, there are commitments as regards fighting crime. Last week, we raised a number of issues concerning my own county in the House. We were told today that the Garda station in Templemore will close at 7 p.m. because of the ban on overtime. I am also told that the same will happen in Cashel. There is a Garda division in my county to which 52 gardaí are assigned and I am told by senior Garda officials that more than one third of those are not available for work at present with no replacements being assigned. If we are serious about fighting crime in urban and rural areas, these decisions need to be reversed.

The Government is serious about dealing with crime, in particular, rural crime. The issues raised by the Deputy are operational and are primarily the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. However, I am happy to pass on his concerns to Garda headquarters.