Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2015
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on whether adequate resources remain available to An Garda Síochána to continue to fight against crime, with articular reference to organised crime. [2055/15]
View answer148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy and availability of state-of-the-art telecommunications to enable the Garda to combat crime effectively; if the updating of transport vehicles continues to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2096/15]
View answer149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that her Department has ready access to sufficient resources, technology, transport and communications systems and intelligence to enable the Garda to combat all manner of crime including terrorism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2097/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 148 and 149 together.
Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for Justice in consultation with the Commissioner as provided for under Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which includes commitments to target individuals and groups engaged in organised criminal activity and terrorism. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be in a position to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.
In terms of existing technology, the Deputy will be aware that a considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system, and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system, which itself is further supported by a dedicated Garda data entry service in Castlebar.
In the area of forensics the situation is that the Garda authorities currently employ state-of-the-art automated fingerprint and ballistics identification systems which I am informed are at least on a par with those used by police forces in other EU jurisdictions. The Deputy will also be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database, scheduled to become operational shortly, which was established on foot of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act, 2014.
I have also clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address deficits which were identified in the recent Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised in the report are widespread, varied and far-reaching and, when taken together with the review of the Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road agreement, will demand significant structural reform within the Garda Síochána. The need for additional resources across a number of areas will be examined within that context. Furthermore, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner has commenced an in-depth examination of all recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report with a view to determining what can be implemented in the short, medium and long term. I also look forward to the significant contribution to this process of reform that will be made by the new policing authority which is to be established shortly.
There have been other recent positive developments with regard to the resources available to An Garda Síochána. An intake of 200 new recruits, including 25 reserve Gardaí, commenced training in 2014 and a further 100 recruits are due to enter the training college at the end of this month. I also secured an additional investment of €10 million for the Garda fleet last year.
