To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what were the intentions of the Government with regard to the Dublin Metropolitan Police; was it the intention to disband them or merge them in the Civic Guards, and, if the latter, when did he intend making the proposed change; how many applications to retire owing to a change of Government had been received from the D.M.P.; when would these applications be considered, and what compensation was it intended to give the applicants.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - THE DUBLIN METROPOLITAN POLICE.
There is no intention to disband the D.M.P. or to make any radical change in the constitution of that force. The normal flow of promotions is being restored, and steps are being taken to resume recruiting. Applications to retire in consequence of the change of Government have been received by the Chief Commissioner from 387 members of the force. Of these, six have been withdrawn. The machinery for dealing with such applications has not yet been decided upon. The matter is under discussion with the Minister for Finance, and I anticipate that a decision will be reached at an early date. In the meantime I am not in a position to state what precise compensation will be awarded to the applicants.