asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of growing concern among the public in Galway at the reduction in service following cut-backs at Salthill and Galway city Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Garda Stations.
3.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the number of gardaí assigned to day-room duty at Eglinton Street Garda station, Galway City, (b) the duties of personnel attached to the day-room and (c) whether he is satisfied that the number of gardaí is sufficient to give efficient service to the public.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. The Commissioner informs me that the redeployment of personnel and other changes recently effected in Salthill and Galway city stations did not result in any reduction in Garda services in the sub-districts concerned. They were effected so that extra members would be available for the more essential footpatrol and beat duty.
It would not be in the public interest to give details of the allocation of gardaí to any particular duty and in any case such arrangements are matters for determination by the local Garda officers directly concerned.
Would the Minister be happy to know that the number of gardaí assigned to day-room duty at Eglington Street Garda station is one member?
It would not be a matter for me to assess the position regarding the assignment of members to any duty. That would be a matter for the professional judgment of the officers in charge.
Does the Minister feel it is sufficient to have one member on duty in a day-room in a city with a population of approximately 34,000 people to deal with a telex machine, two telephones plus an emergency line, a two-way radio, 23 alarm calls together with members of the public who call with complaints or to have passport application forms filled in?
I would not be in a position to say what number would be adequate to deal with that amount of work, but, obviously, the number of members necessary would be decided on by the officer in charge.
Does the Minister feel that one member is sufficient to deal with the amount of work I have stated that member must do?
We are having repetition of the same question.
I cannot give an opinion on something which is a matter for a professional policeman.
Surely the Minister must agree that the officer in charge must make do with the personnel or manpower available to him for whatever duties have to be undertaken?
Of course.
The Minister is responsible for the allocation of extra personnel.
That is so.
Surely the Minister has an obligation to see to it that enough personnel are provided for the officers in charge to provide protection for the people.
A complaint has not been made to me that there is an inadequate number of men available for the duties concerned in Galway. The information I have is that any redeployment of people there has been in the interests of making extra members available for more essential foot patrol and beat duty outside.
Can the Minister say how many of the extra 500 gardaí we may have by Christmas will be sent to Galway to help out there, and can he further say if it is a fact that the squad car which was based in Salthill has been taken away from there?
I cannot say how many extra men will be sent to Galway because the details of the deployment of the force are a matter for the Commissioner. As I indicated to the House, a significant proportion of the new intake will be allocated to Dublin. How the remainder will be allocated is a matter for the Commissioner. With regard to the question of the patrol car in Salthill, this was the subject matter of a question from Deputy Molloy. The Commissioner met a deputation from Salthill and he explained to them the rationale behind the redeployment of that car. I understand the car was taken off in Salthill to enable more men to be placed on foot patrol which is what the public seem to want. The Commissioner did that because he felt the car patrolling of Salthill can be done adequately from Galway. As he indicated to the deputation, this is an experimental redeployment and it will be monitored to see how it is working.
Surely with the shortage of manpower and the restriction on the hours these people can work, the Minister must now agree we are robbing Peter to pay Paul and just putting on an image of protection while, in actual fact, we are not doing anything positive or worthwhile to help the people.
That is not so. The objective of the exercise is to increase the amount of policing available in the area.
They are going around on push bikes.
They are on beat patrol and foot patrol.
And on push bikes.
That can be a very efficient way of carrying out a patrol.
Imagine a man on a bicycle chasing a motor car.
Or a man on foot patrol. The argument is the same. The Deputy cannot have it both ways.
Question No. 5.