John Ellis
Question:10 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice her views on the establishment of a mounted Garda unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5427/97]
Written Answers. - Mounted Garda Unit.
The question of establishing a Garda mounted police has been considered many times over the years. Records in my Department indicate that in 1953 the idea was proposed by the then Deputy Commissioner but the matter was not progressed. Over the years successive Minister for Justice have rejected the idea.
However, now that I have the air support well under way, I have been looking again at the whole question of the introduction of a mounted police unit for the Garda Síochána should changing trends in crime prevention and detection warrant it. The Garda Commissioner has recently set up a small group within An Garda Síochána to examine the feasibility of establishing a Garda mounted unit and to assess the operational benefits of having one. I will, of course, consider any proposals put to me by the Garda authorities arising from the study group's examination of the issue.