Fine Gael will oppose the forthcoming Garda Bill if it includes any provisions leading to the closure of Garda stations, the party's justice spokesman said today.
Mr John Deasy was responding to comments made by the Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, in today's Irish Timesconcerning his intention to out-source a number of activities carried out by the gardaí.
Mr McDowell wants to remove duties such as processing fines, delivering summonses and signing passport applications from day-to-day Garda activity in order to concentrate resources on fighting crime.
There are fears that the Minister's proposals, contained in the forthcoming Garda Bill, could result in the closure of small, rural Garda stations.
Mr Deasy said: "Fine Gael cannot and will not support any move to reduce the police presence, particularly in rural areas."
"This is a backward step and will only serve to make people feel underpoliced and more vulnerable," he said.
"Just because this Government won't adequately resource the fight against crime, it should not mean that rural communities have to suffer," he added.
Mr McDowell said his first task was to ensure the Garda was adequately resourced, and he had done this in the recent Estimates.
However, it was necessary to ensure that resources were "properly deployed", he stressed, hinting that maintaining some stations may be reviewed.
Minister McDowell said: "Every static position takes 5.2 members of the Garda, whether in a box outside a house or in a Garda station."
"There has to be a decision on whether administering a Garda station is a good use of Garda time or not," he added.