asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among gardaí at the absence of armed Garda back-up units to assist unarmed uniformed gardaí performing Border checkpoint duties; the steps, if any, he intends taking to ensure such back-up units are immediately made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Back-up Units.
11.
I am not aware nor is the commissioner whom I have consulted on the matter, that there is widespread concern in the Garda Síochána at the absence of armed Garda back-up units, as alleged by the Deputy.
The position is that an armed presence, either of Garda or Army personnel, can be made available for duty at Garda checkpoints where and whenever such presence is required.
Would the Minister agree with me that traditionally when an armed back-up was required it was provided by the Defence Forces and that our traditional policy was to have an unarmed Garda force with the exception of the special branch? In view of the fact that we now more and more frequently see pictures of armed plain clothes gardaí on our streets would the Minister indicate whether there is a change of policy and if not, is it not now time that there should be a fundamental policy review on whether and to what extent our gardaí should be armed?
I take the point made by Deputy Cooney. The position in the earlier days, as Deputy Cooney has said, was that the armed back-up facility was practically always provided by the Army but during the last ten to 15 years greater numbers of gardaí have been armed. I say that with regret as I am sure every Member of this House would. It is a fact that armed gardaí are appearing more often than heretofore. I take the point made by Deputy Cooney on the matter.
Would the Minister agree that it would be preferable if the traditional policy was maintained and that armed back-up should be provided by the Defence Forces?
It would be preferable but I cannot say whether it would be practical.
In the event of it not being practical, would the Minister ensure that the procedure for the carrying and discharge of firearms in public by members of the Garda Síochána would be very strictly laid down?
I accept the Deputy's comments. This is a matter about which the Garda authorities are very conscious and it is a matter which is kept under constant review.
Why was the decision taken to remove Army personnel from checkpoints? During the past 15 to 20 years they were the people who provided the arms at checkpoints on the Border.
To my knowledge the Army are very much relied on and have to provide armed back-up services to the Garda Síochána. The Army are used at quite a number of checkpoints, even on a permanent basis. There may be occasions when checkpoints have to be established as a matter of urgency and without any prior notice. In such circumstances it may not be possible for Army personnel to be available at that time. These are operational matters between the Garda Síochána and the Army.
Is the Minister aware that there are over 300 serving soldiers in Dundalk while there are fewer than 80 gardaí? It seems that a fundamental error has been made in removing the Army personnel——
The Deputy is making a statement. I am awaiting a supplementary question.
Would the Minister agree that the real function of the Army in the Border areas should be to provide an armed escort for the civic power, one garda at every checkpoint?
I am not sure whether the Deputy's figures are accurate as regards the number of gardaí in Dundalk.
I am correct.
The establishing of and the provision of personnel for checkpoints is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who knows he has Army resources available to him if he feels there is a need for them.