Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Reserve.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

95 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice if she has given any further consideration to the proposal to establish a Garda Reserve, perhaps initially in Dublin, as a major contribution to the lack of Garda power especially in the Dublin region and to support the initiatives she has taken in community policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

It has always been the policy of successive Governments and of the Garda authorities to encourage all law-abiding and responsible citizens to assist the gardaí in law enforcement. The question of the establishment of a reserve force has been examined from time to time. However, it is not clear that any possible advantage arising from the establishment of such a force would outweigh potential difficulties which could arise from it. For example, one would have to be concerned with the rights of individuals faced with a new law enforcement group who would initially lack the expertise and training of full-time police. A reserve force would also cost money and, given the potential difficulties I've mentioned, and the problems of acceptability of such a force because of the resonances associated in this country with the idea of law enforcement by "Reserves", I am in no doubt that the money would be better spent in providing extra capacity for the Garda Síochána.

The Garda Commissioner and I are endeavouring to maximise the number of gardaí engaged on operational duties that can only be performed by members of the Garda Síochána. One of the principal ways of achieving this economically is through a programme of civilianisation of work performed at present by attested members of the service. This is already happening. Almost 870 civilians, including 170 traffic wardens, are now employed in the service on work that would be performed otherwise by trained gardaí. The Garda Commissioner has also drawn up a Corporate Stragegy Policy Document for the Force in line with the commitment in theProgramme for a Partnership Government, 1993-1997, which sets out their requirements to tackle crime in present day conditions and I was pleased to note that further civilianisation is one of its recommendations. As the House is probably aware, I am preparing a package of law and order measures which I will be putting to the Government in the near future and the employment of more civilians to release gardaí for operational duties is one of these measures.

The number of gardaí assigned to community policing duties in the Dublin Metropolitan Area has been increasing steadily since the inception of this approach to policing was adopted in urban areas. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 116 which I answered on 12 October 1993. The total number of community gardaí in the Dublin Metropolitan Area now stands at 170 and the Garda Commissioner and I are committed to increasing those numbers.

The current strength of the service is being boosted by the recruitment of 1,000 gardaí. The recruitment campaign is due to be completed by 1995 but, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, I am examining the question of accelerating the process.