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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Resources.

Question:

424 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make extra funding available to further develop Garda education at under-graduate and graduate level; and if he will fund an exchange programme between the Garda and police forces elsewhere. [21555/97]

As is the case with all other areas of expenditure, the specification of annual requirements for the funding of third level education courses followed by members of the force is primarily a matter for the Garda authorities. Competing demands for the allocation of scarce resources have then to be prioritised within overall expenditure limits. Funding for third level courses has been increased over the years in line with inflation and I am not aware of any demand from the Garda authorities for any significant increases over and above current levels of expenditure.

The Garda authorities avail themselves, as far as possible, having regard to operational commitments, of opportunities which arise for exchanges of personnel between the force and other law enforcement agencies. There are numerous examples of such arrangements. These include exchanges between gardaí in the Garda training college and their counterparts in other police training colleges and exchanges of personnel for the purpose of language training. These exchanges facilitate the study of criminal justice systems in other jurisdictions and help to establish useful police contacts.

There are also more structured exchange arrangements in place. During its recent Presidency of the European Union Ireland brought forward proposals in the Justice and Home Affairs Council for the establishment of a framework, including funding arrangements, to develop and enhance co-operation between European Union police, customs and other law enforcement authorities. This initiative, known as the OISIN Programme, was adopted at the Dublin Council on 20 December 1996. The programme envisages co-operation between member states' law enforcement authorities in the form of exchange and training. A number of projects of an operational nature, particularly in the drugs area, submitted by the Garda Síochána under the programme have already been approved for funding by the EU Commission.

Question:

425 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether there is a need to reinstate the murder squad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21556/97]

The detailed allocation of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Garda authorities. In so far as the investigation of murder is concerned, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation of all crime, including murder, is the responsibility of the local district officer. The resources of the national bureau of criminal investigation are available to investigate any serious crime, should the district officer require same. This is in addition to the specialist services available such as fingerprints, ballistics etc. The expertise of other units — such as the Garda national drugs unit or the Garda bureau of fraud investigation — can also be called upon to assist in any investigation where expertise in these areas is required.

The national bureau of criminal investigation was set up by the commissioner early this year to enhance the co-ordination of Garda central investigatory expertise. This includes expertise in the investigation of murders which, as I have indicated, is available to district officers as needed. I have been informed that experience to date in relation to murder investigations is that the national bureau is providing expert assistance to murder investigations which is more focused and effective than that which was available with the former murder squad. Nevertheless I believe the intrinsic value of having a dedicated unit for murder investigations, even within the national bureau, merits being kept under review and, as necessary, changes made to ensure that expertise remains so focused as to achieve optimum results in the investigation of murders.

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