asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider setting up a hot-line between the Garda Drug Squad and members of the public who are aware of or have information on drug abuse in any part of the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse Information.
27.
I assume that the Deputy means an additional, separate, telephone line with direct dialling, as distinct from an extension from the ordinary lines assigned to the Garda Divisional Office. I understand from the Garda authorities that a proposal for such an additional telephone line is in fact being considered at the moment and will be implemented if the Garda authorities decide that it would be likely to be useful.
Will the Minister give the actual telephone number wide publicity so that the citizens can contact the Garda immediately?
If the Garda authorities decide that such a direct line as is envisaged in this question is likely to be useful, then certainly it would be pointless having it unless it were widely publicised.
Does the Minister agree that such a line would be useful?
It is a matter for the Garda authorities to decide. I will let them make that decision.