asked the Minister for Justice the present position in relation to the installations and use of the green man system of communication in rural Garda stations; and whether he intends to extend this system further.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Communications System.
11.
(Limerick East): Perhaps it is desirable that I should make clear at the outset that what has come to be known as the “green man” communications system is the public call-box system which is installed at rural Garda stations to enable members of the public to contact the Garda when a station is closed. This system has been installed in all rural Garda stations which are not open 24 hours a day. It is now ready for operation except in a few locations where there are radio reception problems and these problems are being attended to with all possible speed. Ways are now being examined by which the public will be made more aware of the valuable facility which the system provides and encouraged to make full use of it.
The possibility of extending the system further will be kept under review in the light of experience gained from the operation of the system now installed.
The Minister gave a somewhat similar answer in July. Has the review produced nothing as yet? Has the Minister formed no opinion as yet? A pilot scheme has been going on for a long time in Claremorris and Thomastown. We were informed in reply to a question on 10 July that it was under review to establish whether it met effectively the objective of improving the situation in rural areas. Has the Minister no further information at this stage?
(Limerick East): The Deputy is confused between rural policing pilot project schemes and this scheme, which is a radio communications scheme. They are different points. The Deputy is mistaken.