Vol. 257 No. 12
asked the Minister for Justice why nine garda patrol cars and 19 gardaí were used in providing an escort for a container of horsemeat on its journey from the factory of North Kilkenny Meat Exports Limited at Freshford, County Kilkenny during the afternoon and evening of Thursday, 11th November, 1971.
96.
asked the Minister for Justice why it was necessary to provide three Garda patrol cars to escort a consignment of horsemeat across the city of Dublin during the peak traffic hour, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd, 1971.
97.
asked the Minister for Justice the length of time two Garda patrol cars and their crews were waiting at Durrow, County Laois on the afternoon of Friday, 10th December, 1971 for the arrival of two Northern Ireland lorries transporting horsemeat from the factory of North Kilkenny Meat Exports Limited at Freshford, County Kilkenny; and the length of time these two cars were engaged in escorting the lorries.
98.
asked the Minister for Justice what action is being taken by the Garda authorities against the Northern Ireland and British drivers who are transporting horsemeat, under Garda escort, from the factory of North Kilkenny Meat Exports Limited, Freshford, County Kilkenny, in lorries which have (a) one registration number plate only and (b) different registration number plates front and rear.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 98, inclusive, together.
The need for Garda escorts, or for other forms of Garda protection, is a matter for the professional judgment of the Garda themselves and it is not the practice to disclose information as to the protection afforded in particular cases.
Some apparent breaches of the law in relation to number plates on some lorries are being dealt with by the Garda in the normal way.
Is the Minister aware that the employer in this case, North Kilkenny Meat Exports Limited, has locked out these employees because of their becoming members of a trade union and wishing to remain members of a trade union and, in view of this totally irresponsible and provocative action on the part of the employer, does the Minister feel justified in spending public money helping out and assisting the employer in this way?
There is no question of helping out or assisting this employer or any other private individual as against some other individual or group. If there is a civil trade dispute that is a matter in which the gardaí do not intervene on either side but, where the gardaí have reason to be apprehensive of the possibility of injury or damage being caused, they take whatever steps they, in their own professional judgment, think proper to prevent such injury or damage.
Could the Minister say what damage has been caused?
I am not aware that any damage has been caused but the gardaí had apparently reason to believe it might be caused.
Could the Minister say for how long more the taxpayer will have to carry the enormous cost of providing these elaborate escorts?
It is not at all correct to describe the escorts as elaborate.
Two patrol cars on each consignment of horse meat?
That is not so.
Will the Minister give a guarantee that Garda escorts will not be provided for lorries which come down from Northern Ireland to Freshford and openly break our traffic laws and, while doing so, receive Garda escorts?
It is wrong of the Deputy to impute a criminal offence against particular people especially as I have said certain prosecutions are pending.
