asked the Minister for Justice the steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of the scenes at Knockaskeagh, Ballina; if he will augment Garda strength in Ballina; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
78.
Written Answers. - Ballina Garda Patrol.
77.
asked the Minister for Justice the back-up service available to Ballina district in the event of the Garda patrol car stationed there being unable to carry out, for any reason, the necessary patrols.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together. The arrangements for the policing of individual areas are a matter for the Garda authorities having regard to their assessment of needs, overall resources and other demands on Garda services.
The authorities report that the current Garda strength at Ballina station is considered adequate to meet the normal policing needs of the Ballina area and that there are arrangements whereby the gardaí at Ballina can seek assistance from the adjoining Garda districts to meet any particular need for manpower or transport which may arise.
As regards the particular incident referred to in Question No. 77, the Garda authorities report that three members of the station party at Ballina went to the scene in the local patrol car immediately they were called and, when it emerged that extra resources were needed to deal with the situation, these were provided by a local inspector and sergeant and the patrol cars from Castlebar and Swinford. The Garda authorities are satisfied that the situation was dealt with effectively on that occasion and that there are adequate arrangements to deal with any such incident.
79.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement in relation to the regulations or rulings that prohibit a replacement for an observer in a Garda car if that regular observer is taken ill, attending court or unable for any other reason to carry out normal duties; and if this applies in County Mayo and in the Ballina district; if he is aware that this ruling has meant that a Garda car was not available for duty.
Internal Garda regulations relating to the manning and use of patrol cars are a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that there is no regulation or instruction which prohibits the replacement of a member rostered for duty as an observer in a Garda car if such a member is not available for duty, and that there is no record of the patrol car at Ballina being unavailable recently due to the absence of an observer.