Proposals for major changes to Garda structures will leave the force "more remote from the people than ever", the Labour Party leader has said.
Mr Pat Rabbitte was commenting on a report in today's Irish Timesthat reveals proposals by a top-level review group for greater centralisation of Garda services and sharp cuts in station-opening hours.
Mr Pat Rabbitte, Leader of the Labour Party (Photograph: Cyril Byrne)
Mr Rabbitte said the revelations showed why Mr Joe Walsh, standing in for the Taoiseach, was "so reluctant" to answer his question in the Dáil last week regarding plans for the closure of Garda stations.
"It is clear from the report of the SMI group that not only are inner city Garda stations like Mountjoy and Fitzgibbon Street being targeted for closure, but a major downgrading of other stations is also in the pipeline," Mr Rabbitte said.
"Fianna Fáil Ministers have been falling over each other since my exchanges with the Ceann Comhairle last week to deny that there were any proposals to close Garda stations, but it is now clear that plans are under way for major changes to Garda structures that would leave the force more remote from the people than ever," Mr Rabbitte said.
Mr Pat Rabbitte
"Prior to the last election both Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats promised that an additional 2,000 Gardaí would be recruited. They have totally failed to deliver on this promise and now they are planning to downgrade and close facilities in a desperate attempt to find a few hundred extra gardaí to put on to the streets.
"What is of particular concern is that some of the stations being targeted for closure are in areas experiencing the most serious levels of crime. This simply does not make any sense," Mr Rabbitte said.
He said what was needed was not the closure or downgrading of Garda stations, but the recruitment of 2,000 additional personnel and the implementation of long-promised reforms of the force to make it more accountable and to improve links between it and the community.
Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, called on the Minister for Justice to immediately publish the report so there could be open and honest debate on its recommendations.
"The people of Ireland are the ultimate consumers of Garda services. Why is Minister McDowell excluding the public from the consultation process? This was a publicly funded report. Surely the people are entitled to be involved in the discussions. What is the Minister afraid of?" he said.
He said the "drip-feed" of speculation about station closures had "all the hallmarks of a softening up process" by the minister and his Government for major cutbacks.
"This report has serious implications for every town and urban area in the country which has either a divisional or a district headquarters. It suggests that up to 40 will be downgraded with implications for lower staffing levels and shorter opening hours."
"This report raises serious issues which affect many communities, and the future of 12,000 men and women in the Garda Siochana. I demand that the Government and especially Minister McDowell, who has sat on this report for the past six months, now lift the veil of secrecy and let the public have a say," Mr O'Keeffe said.