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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1981

Vol. 331 No. 12

Written Answers. - Malahide (Dublin) Garda Station.

121.

asked the Minister for Justice the present position concerning the previous Government's proposals to have a 24-hour service at Malahide Garda station, County Dublin.

The previous Government had no proposals to have a 24-hour service at Malahide Garda station. Indeed no Government make proposals in these matters which are essentially the concern of the Garda Commissioner.

A Dáil Question on this matter tabled by Deputy John Boland was answered on 8 April 1981. The following is an extract from the reply given on that date by my predecessor:

Malahide Garda station closes at 1 a.m. each night, including week-ends. The Garda authorities have indicated that the present opening hours of the station have been so fixed as to enable the station party to carry out the maximum amount of outdoor police duties, while maintaining an adequate office service. They consider that an extension of the opening hours would not be feasible at present having regard to the current strength of the station party but the matter is being kept under review.

During the course of the recent general election and only six weeks after Deputy Boland's question a letter from my predecessor issued to Deputy Burke on 20 May 1981, which said, inter alia:

You will be glad to hear that the matter has been reviewed by the Garda authorities and, taking account of the proposed increase in the strength of the Force which I announced last week, it will be possible to provide for the opening of Malahide station on a 24-hour basis very shortly.

Despite the fact that the recruitment is going full steam ahead and in spite of the fact that the present Government have increased expenditure on the Garda by £31.3 million this year, the factual position in relation to Malahide is that the Garda authorities propose to open Malahide Garda station on a 24-hour basis as soon as practicable but it would not be feasible to do so at present having regard to the current strength of the station party.

In the circumstances the letter issued by the then Minister for Justice to the Deputy during the course of the general election would appear to have been erroneous.

Questions Nos. 122 to 125, inclusive, postponed.

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