Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2022-02-03
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Robbie Gallagher (FF), Labour Panel

I thank the Minister of State for the clarity he brought to the issues raised here this afternoon. I hope it will bring comfort to those concerned.
On a broader point, when the Minister for Justice was in the House, I raised my concerns about the centralisation of services, and in this case, within An Garda Síochána. My experience of services being centralised is not positive. I have fears about my neck of the woods, counties Cavan and Monaghan, in particular. Monaghan now loses its divisional headquarters as it is lumped in with County Louth. As there are two major towns, Drogheda and Dundalk, in County Louth, many fear that resources will be concentrated where the population is at the expense of the smaller towns. I made that point to the Minister and she assured me that the decision will be reviewed.
I hope my concerns will not be realised, but if it transpires that is the case, the issue will be re-examined. I just wanted to flag that as my concern.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:50:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-02-03