asked the Minister for Justice if he will review the operation of the emergency calls system so that emergency calls are swiftly and adequately transferred to the emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Telephone Calls.
4.
(Limerick East): The position is that 999 emergency calls are answered initially by Bord Telecom Éireann operators who then transfer them to the appropriate emergency service. Arising from reports that difficulties arose in relation to emergency calls for the Garda Síochána on two recent occasions, a joint review of the procedure involved has been carried out by senior personnel from Telecom Éireann and from the Garda. I am advised that additional safeguards are being introduced to ensure that difficulties of the nature reported will be avoided in future.
Will the Minister ensure that a spot check policy continues to operate so that there is a smooth transfer of the services?
(Limerick East): Senior personnel of Telecom Éireann together with representatives of the Garda met earlier this month with a view to ascertaining whether the handling of the 999 calls could be improved. Since then certain measures have been introduced which should be of benefit. The Telecom Éireann operators will continue to take responsibility for each call until it has been accepted by the Garda. Previously the practice was that once a telephone operator transferred a call to the Garda, the operator took no further responsibility for it even though, because of equipment difficulties, such call might not be received by the Garda. There is to be continuing liaison between a senior management member of Telecom Éireann and a superintendent of the Garda in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. This will meet the point the Deputy has raised. In addition, the Garda and the Telecom Eireann supervisors will exchange names when passing on complaints. This will leave it much easier to follow up such complaints.
Are the calls logged automatically when they are received by the Garda?
(Limerick East): There is no automatic system for recording the call. The Garda note 999 calls but so far as I understand there is not a machine that takes note of those calls automatically. The feasibility of providing the Garda with a special exclusive emergency number which would go directly to the Garda in the DMA without the necessity of Telecom Éireann exchange operator interruption is also being considered. That might meet the situation.