asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the many robberies occurring at banks and other financial offices, he is satisfied that all possible precautions are being taken to prevent such robberies being carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Armed Robbery Prevention.
68.
Mr. R. Burke (for the Minister for Justice)
I assume that the Deputy has in mind the precautions which are being taken by the Garda Síochána to prevent armed robberies and I can only repeat, as has been said in this House on previous occasions, that the extent of any protection to be provided for banks and other financial offices by the Garda is a matter for determination by the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, from time to time in the light of all the circumstances.
There is what might be called a spate of armed robberies at the moment. I am satisfied that the Garda Síochána are doing all they can to cope with the problem and this includes consultation and co-operation with the owners of business premises that may be particularly liable to be targets for such attacks.
I have said it before and I say it again, the biggest weapon the Garda have is information from the public and I ask all citizens who value an ordered society to pass to the Garda any information that might be of help to them.
Perhaps my question is somewhat ambiguous. I am quite aware of the excellent work being done by the Garda and I have nothing but praise for their efforts but one thing I had in mind was the case of a bank. Could it not be the practice that the bank manager or head official would deposit the keys of the bank in a Garda station at night so that he would not have his house raided by thieves who would take the keys and then make him open the bank? This would be an added precaution against robbery. The Minister might bring this to the attention of the banks. In one of these bank robberies the keys were taken from the manager's house and that case had far-reaching repercussions afterwards.
Mr. R. Burke
I shall convey the Deputy's interesting suggestion to the Minister.
I also am aware of the excellent work of the Garda. Was any directive issued to them approximately three months ago that less attention or vigilance be given to banks and such establishments?
Mr. R. Burke
I would hesitate to give a categorical answer on this matter but I understand that no such directive was issued.