asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider establishing a unit in the Garda Síochána for the purpose of aerial activities.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Specialised Units.
21.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider introducing a unit of mounted police for ceremonial and crowd control purposes.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
Assessment of the possible usefulness of specialised units would be a matter for the Garda authorities in the first place. I would point out, however, that airborne and mounted police units would be quite costly to maintain.
Army helicopters have been available to the Garda when requested for special tasks.
The possibility of a mounted police unit in the force was examined in the 1960s and was rejected. The Commissioner considers that the present Garda arrangements for crowd control are adequate.