asked the Minister for Justice whether the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána has made a bye-law amending Statutory Rule and Order No. 222 of 1937 authorising members of the Garda Síochána engaged on the control of traffic to use white batons; if so, the date on which such bye-law was made; and what where copies of it are available to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of White Batons in Traffic Control.
13.
Mr. Ryan
I am informed by the commisioner, Garda Síchána, that an amending bye-law has not yet been made as the use of the white baton is an experiment only, but that it is intended to make an amending bye-law if the experiment proves to be a worthwhile improvement as I think it will be.
Mr. Ryan
Are we now to understand that the use of those batons has no force of law? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that people have been threatened with prosecution because they did not understand the signal which comprised the whirling about of a baton for several seconds?
We regard this as a worthwhile experiment and, if they prove their use, as we hope they will, we shall bring in the necessary bye-law.
Mr. Ryan
Is it the fact then that traffic in Dublin is now being controlled by something that nobody can regard as a signal, given by this white stick?
That is not correct.
It would be a worthwhile experiment to knock sense into the Members of the Government.