Vol. 509 No. 1
73 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of the Garda traffic corps; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient personnel are deployed for traffic control and safety measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19730/99]
There is a traffic corps with special responsibility for traffic law enforcement in each Garda division.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 57 sergeants and 364 gardaí are assigned to the traffic corps. In addition to traffic corps members, all uniformed gardaí throughout the State are involved in road traffic enforcement as required.
I wish to assure the Deputy of the Government's commitment to increase the overall strength of the force to 12,000 by the year 2002. This increase would ultimately allow for some flexibility for deployment of additional gardaí to traffic law enforcement should the Garda Commissioner consider it necessary.
I might add, however, that the question of the deployment of gardaí is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
