asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda force is at sufficient strength in Palmerstown, Dublin, to cater for the area.
38.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Palmerstown (Dublin) Garda Strength.
37.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the concern and anxiety of the community council and residents' associations in the Palmerstown area concerning the policing of the area, he will indicate the steps he intends to take to improve the position.
(Cavan): With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
The Palmerstown area is served mainly by Lucan Garda station. The strength of this station has been increased by 13 in the past 12 months, and in recent weeks improved patrolling systems have been put into operation in the area. The police strength of Lucan station is being kept under review and it may be that it will be further increased.
Would the Minister not agree that the only solution to the policing problem in the Palmerstown area is the construction of a police station in that area? It is an area that has been expanding rapidly during the past number of years and is worthy of its own police station.
What were the Deputy's party doing for the past 16 years?
The Minister has not attempted to reply to my question.
The Chair is affording the Minister an opportunity of replying to the Deputy.
(Cavan): In reply to Deputy Burke, the Garda Commissioner is of the opinion that his proposals in this regard are adequate at the moment but should it transpire in the light of what he is doing that they are not adequate, a further look will be taken at the question.
Is the Minister aware that very recently members of the Palmerstown Community Council and the residents association which, I think, are a combined organisation, sought to have a deputation meet the Minister for Justice for the purpose of expressing their concern in relation to the policing of the Palmerstown area? I sincerely hope that the Minister for Justice will continue to keep this matter under review.
I had hoped that the Deputy would not embark on a statement.
The reply given would not indicate that the matter will be kept under review although the Minister has said that the number of police have been increased in the Lucan area. I hope that the policing of the Palmerstown area will be kept under review because general dissatisfaction has been expressed in relation to the present situation.
(Cavan): I am not aware, personally, of the request regarding a deputation but if the Deputy will refer to the last sentence of my reply he will notice that the police strength of Lucan station is being kept under review and that it may be that it will be increased further. The Deputy may take it that the Minister will keep an eye on the problem and that it will be dealt with as required.
Is the Minister aware——
We must pass on to Question No. 39.
I appreciate what has been done in regard to increasing the number of police in the area but the Minister has stated that he is not aware of the request for a deputation to meet the Minister for Justice——
Is the Deputy asking a specific supplementary question?
I am still speaking in relation to the question.
The Deputy must ask a question and it must be relevant to the matter under discussion.
Is the Minister aware that representations were made by all the public representatives from the area in regard to this deputation? I appreciate fully that the Minister is only deputising for the Minister for Justice but he has stated that he was not aware of the request for a deputation.
The Deputy is again embarking on a statement.
I will continue——
The Deputy may not continue.
The Minister has not yet answered my question.
The Chair has no control over Ministers' answers.
He says he has no knowledge of this deputation having been sought.
I must ask the Deputy to desist from making any further reference to the matter.
(Cavan): I was speaking of my personal knowledge.