Recently, we were told that 20 new gardaí are being appointed into Limerick city, where they are much needed. How many can the Minister give me in the county as well? County Limerick is a big place, with 40 square miles per Garda station. There is Bruff Garda station and a new Garda station at Newcastle West. When the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, talks about recruits, he says that 200 are going in and 200 will come out. According to the last statistic before he became Minister, we had 400 going in and only 145 or 150 coming out. I am delighted the Minister is confident that 200 are going in and 200 are coming out. How many will be replacements for retirements? How many gardaí will we actually get on the ground? The Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, came out last week and had a go at me about putting city against county. I am not. I am looking for equality for city and county. The protectors who are in the Minister's remit are needed in the county and the city. How many are going to come in to replace the retirements? How many gardaí are we actually going to get?

The biggest problem I face as Minister for justice is that every elected representative and member of the public I meet wants to see more gardaí in their community. There is a positive story behind that when we reflect upon it. It was great that 20 gardaí went to Limerick city. I do not decide where new recruits coming out of Templemore go. I know everyone wants them. As I said earlier in response to Deputy Bacik, if we can get 200 in each intake into Templemore, and there are four or five intakes per year, at the end of each passing out we will find ourselves with lots of gardaí going around the country and available. That is the policy objective.