asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on an armed robbery (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he considers that an unprotected passenger bus is, in the present circumstances, a satisfactory means of conveying large amounts of public money.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Armed Robbery.
5.
The armed robbery referred to is the subject of Garda investigations and I could not undertake to make any comment in relation to it.
The arrangements, including protection arrangements, that are made for the movement of public money must take account of a variety of factors, but I believe that any attempt on my part to go into detail as to why certain procedures are or are not adopted would only play into the hands of persons planning similar crimes.
Is it not a very strange situation in which the Minister for Justice says that the robbery which has taken place is the subject matter of Garda inquiries? The question I am asking relates to why a bus carrying a large sum of money was unescorted. The robbery would not have taken place if it had been escorted. I am not asking about investigations which are now taking place.
I said that there are arrangements, including protection arrangements, for the movement of public money and many things must be taken into consideration. If the Deputy expects me as Minister for Justice to spell out in detail the sorts of arrangements made for the protection of money, I would advise the Deputy and the House that we would be doing a very grave disservice because none of us wants to give to those robbing money more information than they already have.
I reject what the Minister is saying. Obviously the Minister does not appreciate that Donegal is a Border county and——
This is not a question. You are making a speech.
I wish to ask the Minister if he realises that the money which was stolen will be used by subversive organisations to create havoc. The Minister is charged with keeping security within the State. Surely the Minister will appreciate that to allow public bodies to transfer money from one point to another without an escort makes his job more difficult.
The Deputy appreciates fully that it is virtually impossible to provide protection at all times for all carriers of moneys. I am assured by the Garda that they provide protection where they are able to do so. I hope the Deputy is satisfied.
The Minister recently asked the private sector—businessmen, hoteliers, filling station operators and others—to lodge their money frequently in their own bank accounts to prevent their having sizeable amounts of money in their possession.
This is information.
Of course it is.
The Deputy should ask a question.
The purpose of this was to make it impossible for subversive organisations to rob. Here there is a public body—a Government responsibility—moving money from one point to another. Surely that is inconsistent.
It is inconsistent with Standing Orders to make a speech at Question Time.
Money is being stolen and the Minister is not doing anything about it.