: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together.
The question whether security arrangements in a given case are adequate depends on the criteria to be applied. If the test is that the arrangements should prevent a robbery, then clearly in the case referred to the arrangements did not meet that test.
The decision as to the protection arrangements to be applied in a given case is for the Garda Síochána and this has been the position under successive Ministers for Justice and that is how it should be.
In recent years, mainly because of inflation, cash amounts in transit have increased substantially. Inflation is not, however, the only factor and the development of industry, commerce and related activities in our society has had the result of very frequent movements of cash in amounts that are very large. It is totally impossible to provide continuous protection even of all large consignments of money that are being moved about from place to place.
It may be alleged that what is involved is the protection of very substantial sums only. I have some difficulty in dealing with the whole question of the designation of "substantial sums", and, for reasons which the House will appreciate, a discussion of the protection measures that are operated in the case of particular cash consignments in transit could only benefit those who plan these robberies.
When I assumed office I found that the policy being pursued then provided for very little protection on cash movements. I am stating this as a fact and not as a criticism. The policy I found in operation was a deliberate policy which could be defended but I thought that the level of protection should be increased. The level of the protection was in fact increased but, whatever level of protection is applied, there can be no guarantee against robberies occurring. In the case of the robbery referred to in the questions the amount of money was substantial. I am not saying that sums as large as this are commonplace but I must stress that very large sums indeed are regularly in transit throughout the country—much more so than is generally recognised. To cover all of them with Garda protection would impose such a demand on manpower and resources that it would not be possible to meet it. This is the reality that we must face. My information is that we in this country are by no means unique in this. On the contrary, I understand that this situation is commonplace in many countries.
Last week's robbery raises very important questions. If we are now moving into a situation where semi-military-type operations are planned and carried out against property then we, as a community, must consider what measures must be taken to combat this type of threat even if this means measures that may sound very harsh. The necessity not only to impose very long sentences and to ensure that those very long sentences are fully served by persons convicted of such offences is one consideration that has to be taken into account.
The current strategy of providing Garda escorts for cash in transit is being reassessed by the Garda authorities and amongst the matters to be considered by them will be the effectiveness of the existing escort arrangements.
The House will appreciate that the diversion of police resources to protection arrangements of this nature is exceptionally costly in terms of manpower and has the result of diverting those resources from other areas of police needs. Measures that might suggest themselves at first sight as a solution to this particular problem are not the measures that commend themselves to experienced police officers with the expertise and professional competence to assess what has to be done.
Some public references have been made to the possible use of Army escorts. Once again the problem lies in the very large number of transfers of very large sums and, even if Army manpower were to be employed, I think a problem could arise about the level of what I might call militarism that would then be on daily display on our streets and roads.
There is no easy solution because it is an extremely complex problem and I am satisfied that in the current review being carried out by the Garda authorities they will take into account all relevant considerations with a view to improving the situation. The gardaí will be discussing with the banks the further action that might be taken on their side to reduce the volume of bank cash in transit at the present time.
I am not aware that any proposal to transfer money by light plane was made as suggested in Question No. 5. It is not a proposal that commends itself to the gardaí as offering any real assistance. It may be that a limited use of helicopters would be beneficial and this is being considered.