The closure of Garda Stations is not about the removal of community Gardai according to Fine Gael TD Simon Harris.

He says station closures are a necessary part of public sector reform and has nothing to do with cost-saving.

His comments come on the back of the closure of 95 Garda Stations on Thursday with a further five to close in the coming weeks.

A rally will take place in the Justice Minister's constituency of South Dublin today in protest at the closure of Stepaside Garda Station.

But Simon Harris says the size of Ireland's population does not equate to the number of stations across the country: