asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the contents of Circular No. A66/177/74 dated 9th November, 1976, from the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána to the force; and if he is aware of the disquiet caused by this circular directing that Garda patrol cars be manned by one member only in most circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Patrol Cars.
32.
The circular relates primarily to the manning of cars engaged in routine patrol duty in rural, semi-rural and suburban areas and, even in these cases, one-man operation is subject to a substantial number of exceptions.
The object of the circular is to enable the public to be given the best possible service from the available resources, especially to release men for additional foot patrol and beat duty and, while the new system is, I understand, similar to that operated in many areas in England and elsewhere, its operation will be monitored with particular care in the first few months so that any problems may as far as possible be ironed out. Having given this factual statement of what is involved, I must emphasise that the matter is an operational one to be decided by the Garda authorities with whose discretion I am not prepared to interfere.
Am I correct in assuming that the Minister said that this new system of operating Garda patrol cars is only for a trial period and that if it proves unsatisfactory— as many members of the force believe it will prove—the old system will be restored?
I am not saying any such thing. The system of manning Garda cars is a matter for the internal administration of the force. It is not a matter for me to decide, nor do I think it is a proper matter for debate in this House. It is a matter for the discretion of the Garda authorities. I said that the operation of the system will be monitored with particular care in the first few months so that any problems may as far as possible be ironed out. I am not going to go any further than that. It is wrong that internal Garda administration of this nature should be debated in the House.
I fully accept the responsibilities of the Garda Commissioner in cases like this——
Deputies over there should all get behind him.
I am not in front of him. I am behind him and there was never any question or doubt about it. There should not be any doubt in the Minister's mind about it.
Then support him in what he is doing.
What is the implication in what the Minister has said?
If the Minister would keep his cool perhaps I might be able to ask a supplementary question. Would the Minister not agree that the fact that we have only one-man Garda patrol cars has been brought about because there are not enough men in the force to do the work they should be doing?
I do not agree that Garda patrol cars are going to be manned henceforth exclusively by one man. Obviously the Deputy did not hear what I said in my reply. I stated:
The circular relates primarily to the manning of cars engaged in routine garda patrol duty in rural, semi-rural and suburban areas and, even in those cases, one-man operation is subject to a substantial number of exceptions.
For example, the exceptions are when engaged in Border patrols and security duties when the local Garda officer considers it necessary to have two men in a vehicle and specifically when it is considered necessary during the hours of darkness when an element of risk is anticipated or when the patrol is in areas where crime, vandalism or rowdy conduct is prevalent.