The General-Secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has accused the Government of dismantling the force brick by brick.

Around 100 stations have been closed since the start of the year as part of a plan to reduce costs and make policing more efficient.

However the GRA says the closure of a number of stations in Dublin, in particular, has led to overcrowded conditions in the remaining stations - and prefabs have had to be used. 

PJ Stone says the cramped conditions are an issue that should be dealt with by an Independent Policing Commission. 

This morning the Garda Commissioner says he would be in favour of an independent commission to look at pay and conditions for members of the force.

His response came after the Garda Representative Association called for a Commission to examine pay, so that Gardaí are dealt with separately from other public sector workers.

Commissioner Martin Callinan has said he doesn't know what the outcome of the Commission would be, but he would be "in favour of that happening, if the Government is so minded". 

The GRA made the call as it's annual conference draws to a close today. It's also seeking the establishment of an independent policing authority, to remove what it claims is "political interference" from An Garda Siochana. But Commissioner Callinan has said there is no need for such an authority at this time, stating that "Minister Shatter has never tried to interfere with what I do".

Meanwhile, it's emerged that 5,000 arrests have been made under Operation Fiacla, since it began a year ago. The investigation is focusing on travelling criminals who are responsible for a rise in the number of burglaries around the country. Over 2,700 people have been brought before the courts as part of the investigation, which the Commissioner has described as a "phenomenal success".