Me apps!

Good to see a change in policing model. Having a vast network of stations is not keeping with current times, many of the current stations have been in operation since before the foundation of the state. The early laws were in place initially to police property, not people thus the need for a network of outposts for easy connection by foot or horse. It is much more beneficial in these days to have gardai patrolling communities in vehicles as opposed to occupying buildings relying on a few visitors a day. As an example for a city region Dublin has around 40 24 hour Garda Stations while Greater Manchester of similar size has 13. Similarly in the UK a ‘bobby’ would have a desk at a rural community centre on a Sunday after church to cater for the needs that the elderly and other locals might have; passports, forms etc Being close to a station has shown to be no advantage in regards to crime prevention, such as the recent horrific incident in Sligo.

Bottom line is more gardai on the streets of the cities and roads of rural Ireland.

Eamon come back from Berlin and back to your constituency office! A few UCD Students are looking to talk to you: gilmores250.com

Garda clinics. Stamp forms.
Brilliant idea.

Seamus I agree with Triona; it’s a matter of distance especially in rural areas. Levels of staff is another problem. Gardai can leave stations unmanned to attend calls. So someone doesn’t have to be there continually. Resources is another big problem. Those new vehicles, however welcome are too little too late. I do agree that in cities cutting back or closing some stations makes sense economically.

Isn’t it a public holiday?

Seamus that’s not true; stations are left unattended all the time when the guards are called to accidents an other incidents. They just lock up the station.

Guido Westerwelle? Yeah Buddy!

it’s not bad enough the energy companies hiking up prices by 12%+, now the feckin regulator wants to increase them by another 9%, there are already people who can’t afford to put on the heating and lights, the latest price hike will only cause more hardship and for the regulator to add 9% to those bills is just plain mad, 1000’s of homes in this country will have to choose between heating and eating this winter, let’s hope its a mild one so as they dont have to make that choice as often, still there is the bright side to this, the government will be able to take even more v.a.t. on the extra cost of your bills.

not happy with letting the energy companies rip off consumers with ever increasing hikes, now the regulator wants to get in on it themselves, there are already 1000’s of people in fuel poverty in this country, the recent price hikes of up to 12% in fuel costs will see even more affected, now the regulator want to pass on another 9% rise to the consumer, plus v.a.t. on top of course.