asked the Minister for Justice if members of the Garda Síochána were on duty for periods of 12 to 14 hours without a break on 21st January, 1969; and if this was necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Duty.
22.
The Commissioner Garda Síochána has informed me that on the occasion of the Meeting of the Dáil in the Mansion House on 21st January a number of gardaí were on duty in the immediate vicinity of the Mansion House from 1 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. with a break of about one hour for meals. A very small number remained on duty for another hour or so.
23.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of officers and men of the Garda Síochána on duty in the vicinity of the Mansion House, Dublin, on 28th and 29th January, 1969.
The number of gardaí allocated for duty at particular places or on particular occasions is a matter for determination by the local Garda officers directly concerned on whom rests the responsibility of maintaining law and order and keeping the public peace.
There has been general acceptance all along of the principle that it is not in the public interest to reveal the extent of police arrangements for the prevention of crime and the maintenance of law and order. I do not propose to depart from that principle.
Does the Minister think it necessary to have nearly as many gardaí on duty as there were delegates at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis on that occasion?
I am glad to learn the Deputy is concerned for the gardaí. It is a matter for the Commissioner to decide the number of men he should have on duty on any occasion.
There are hardly as many gardaí in the country as there were delegates at the Árd Fheis.
The Minister did not deny that.
One would not blame the Commissioner for anticipating a row there.
We know where the potential row-makers come from. They are professional rioters.
What about the Minister for Justice tramping the streets of Dublin with his peaked cap?
That is Deputy Dunne's fertile imagination.
You were going to take Arbour Hill. Did you not take it?
I am calling Question No. 24.