I wish to share my time with Deputy Creed.
Adjournment Debate. - Garda Stations.
Sharing time with Deputy Creed.
I am delighted to see the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the House tonight to deal with the serious concerns of many people in relation to this important issue.
In recent years I have made many representations to the Minister's office and raised in the Dáil the issue of my concerns with respect to scaling down the Garda presence in several rural areas of Wicklow and east Carlow. This is a problem that spans the country from Donegal to Waterford. Many communities have formed action groups to address the problem and I am aware that they too have been in direct contact with the Minister's office.
The Wicklow-east Carlow area is especially susceptible to small time criminals who specialise in multiple crimes during a late night excursion from the city. Many of the small towns they hit are manned by gardaí for only a few hours at set times.
This practice is growing. Recent reports indicate that the steering group set up to restructure the Garda is considering the proposal that stations with fewer than four gardaí be closed, as a cost cutting measure. If implemented this will have a serious negative impact on communities throughout the country and the state of law and order. It would have implications for at least 12 locations in my constituency – Roundwood, Dunlavin, Tinahely, Hollywood, Ashford, Avoca, Aughrim, Carnew, Enniskerry, Shillelagh, Rathvilly and Haggartstown.
Some sources cast doubt on the authenticity of the reports but they have caused concern in many communities. The Garda's main strength is the ability to intermingle with the community which affords them a great insight into how society functions. It assists in nipping potential problems in the bud. Loss of this facility would cause serious long-term difficulties. Will the Minister tell us what is the status of these proposals and outline the recommendations put forward? Will he confirm that there is no threat to stations with fewer than four gardai and that he is considering the feasibility of increasing the numbers in these neglected areas.
I thank Deputy Timmins for sharing his time. The Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, while on this side of the House made great play of zero tolerance and it is with incredulity that I read that on his watch in the Department consultants had the audacity to suggest proposals that would diminish his reputation with Deloitte & Touche suggesting the closure of stations with fewer than four gardaí. Deputy Timmins referred to stations in Wicklow but in my own constituency I can name many stations which fall into this category – Ballyvourney, Inchigeelagh, Ballingarry, Tarelton, Varnans, Coachford and Dunamore. There is fear in these communities that while the Minister talks zero tolerance, zero gardaí on the ground will mean zero justice for rural communities. I want the Minister to take this opportunity to nail fairly and squarely this report and tell us if he will preside over the closure of rural Garda stations. Is the axe hanging over stations with four gardaí? It would explode the Minister's reputation further if this were to happen. I appeal to him to take the opportunity to say that he will not be proceeding in line with the Deloitte & Touche report.
I thank Deputies Timmins and Creed for raising this matter and their leader for zeroing in on me at such short notice. I thank them for the tour of County Wicklow and Cork North-West.
At the outset I wish to advise the House that weekend media reports on proposals to close Garda stations are completely without foundation. Far from engaging in cost cutting exercises as suggested in some media reports, I have been a consistent advocate for additional resources for An Garda Síochána. My record as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform shows that I do not only talk about additional resources, I deliver them. In the period since I took office the strength of the force has increased consistently. From a base line of 10,800 in 1997 the strength of the force now stands at approximately 11,600 – the highest it has ever been. By the end of this year it will be close to 11,800 and is on target to reach the planned strength of 12,000 by the year 2002. When I took office I inherited a Garda Vote that stood at £472 million. This year the estimate is £698 million – an increase of £226 million or 48% on that 1997 Estimate. During this time we have seen unprecedented investment to provide the Garda with the best equipment and technology available. These are not the hallmarks of a Minister who engages in cost cutting exercises.
Deputies will be aware that under the strategic management initiative a fundamental review of all aspects of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána was completed in 1997. The Government appointed a steering group in February 1998 to develop and implement its recommendations. The aim is to position the Garda organisation to respond efficiently and effectively to the challenges it faces in this new millennium.
Substantial progress has been achieved and new systems of financial management, human resource management, training and promotion have been developed. New approaches to the organisation and deployment of personnel have also been developed through a new rostering framework, a report on civilianisation and a new human resource allocation model. All projects are being developed in full consultation with staff interests.
The Garda SMI review also recommended a review of the Garda structures, work processes and systems. In December 2000, Deloitte & Touche consultants were recruited to carry out this comprehensive and complex review. Under the terms of reference, the consultants are required to develop the HQ and regional organisation structures, review the HQ specific and core role functions, review the roles of ranks and develop criteria in relation to stations
In completing the work programme the consultants must evaluate a range of options identified under the SMI programme and make clear recommendations. The consultants will also be required to develop a clear implementation plan. I am advised that in assessing criteria in relation to stations the consultants will be focusing on the best use of Garda resources to deliver a policing service to the community. The consultants will not be recommending the closure of any Garda stations but will be highlighting criteria which could be taken account of in any future assessment of how the functioning or location of Garda stations best serves the community.
That is not a denial.
That does not deny the report.
In conclusion, I confirm that there are no proposals in relation to opening or closing of Garda stations. The consultants' review of Garda structures and operating systems which commenced in December 2000 is part of the continuing strategic management initiative in the Garda Síochána. The consultants will not report until August or September this year. Any recommendations in their report will then be considered by the Garda SMI steering group and ultimately by Government. Again, as I said at the outset and contrary to weekend newspaper reports, there are no proposals to close rural Garda stations on the basis of numbers of gardaí or on any other basis.
If the Government were allowed to ask questions of the Opposition, there would be other matters on the Adjournment tonight.
The Minister is the Taoiseach's bootboy.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for raising the important issue of Border security and the need for a new operational Garda station in Muff. There must be proper communications developed in line with the rest of the country. The personnel levels in Border towns should be reviewed, particularly in Inishowen.
I declare my interest in that I live three miles from Redcastle village, which experienced an incident over the weekend, and 14 miles from the Border crossing at Muff. On a number of occasions I asked the Minister to review personnel levels in Inishowen because of the increase in sporadic petty crime. This weekend's armed raid brings this call to a head.
It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured although there will be a psychological impact for those put through the ordeal. I wish all involved a speedy recovery. I commend those who ensured that the gang was captured. I do not want to prejudice any case which may be brought but I hope that anyone found guilty will realise that such activity is unacceptable to the people of Redcastle, Inishowen or any part of Donegal. I will not labour the point about this case because, while it is particularly serious, I have other constituents who have endured similar experiences.
We live beside Derry, a large urban centre with many problems. The bottom line is that whatever the urban problem, the solution invariably involves more financing for individuals or groups which need it. When there are anti-social problems, the solutions are sought in vulnerable regions in the hinterland. On the outskirts of a large centre, we fall victim to the fall-out from the large centre, as was seen last weekend. We gain the social problems of the large town, such as those related to drink, drugs, or violence. A look at the resources Gardaí are given in Donegal will show that the Garda station in Muff has been structurally condemned for the past 20 years. This premises is so appallingly bad that the small personnel level located there reflects its safety level. As the station is located at the gateway into Inishowen, it is appalling that the problems have not been rectified. When serious or even petty crimes have taken place in the recent past in Inishowen, they have often involved gangs and individuals from outside the peninsula. The most popular of the two crossing points used is that at Muff.
I spoke with commissioner Evans of the Boston police force last week, and he said resources need to be visible and should not be spread thinly. Until we have an appropriate station in Muff, we will not have the personnel, as there is nowhere for them to be safely housed within the existing accommodation and we badly need more personnel. As the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue knows, we have a foot and mouth disease patrol on the border at Muff, and yet those who perpetrated the crime at the weekend were not put off. This speaks volumes for the problems of Inishowen with regard to criminal elements from our large urban neighbour.
The current levels of personnel are not being properly resourced. It is unacceptable that simple and basic communications equipment is not available at Inishowen stations. It is hard to believe that of the 45 stations in the county, only 15 had a fax machine, as at 26 September last. Only 26 had a photocopier and six had a computer with printer. If we are starved of such basic resources I fear to ask about other operational equipment. If a remote station has important written information that has to be brought to the attention of a superintendent or chief superintendent, it cannot be e-mailed or faxed. The only car in the area has to be taken away for most of the day to hand over the information.
While the Minister does not have direct responsibility for the distribution of such equipment, I sometimes wonder if I would be better off asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, or the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation for carrier pigeons given the lack of response on this important issue. Gardaí work on a cross-border basis to deal with crime, and are having some success, as was proved by this latest event. They are doing their border duty because of foot and mouth disease, but they need proper facilities, resources and numbers.
As we saw at the weekend, north Donegal is a vulnerable location. I ask the Minister to give me a positive response in respect of the station at Muff, and the more general needs raised in my contribution. People in my constituency do not want negative publicity. The peninsula has a wonderful recreational and leisure facility to sell. Every cluster of small towns at the edge of a major city experiences social and economic difficulties at the expense of people who choose to live in quiet backwaters. I ask the Minister to help to restore the good name of my constituents and to build security and confidence, which unfortunately are needed, between the large urban centre of Derry and the towns and villages of Inishowen.
It is apparent from Deputy Keaveney's contribution that she is something of a homing pigeon. She has raised this matter consistently, and she has shown a deep interest and commitment to it. She is aware, from my replies to questions in this House, that there were plans to build a new basic unit type station in Muff to support the policing requirements of the area. It was intended to demolish the existing station and construct a new Garda station on the site.
The Office of Public Works has recently agreed, in principle, purchase terms for the provision of alternative accommodation at a residence a short distance from the station. Subject to confirmation that the title is in order, I expect this accommodation to become available shortly. It will greatly help local Garda in the provision of an efficient and effective policing service in the area. As part of the move to the new location, the question raised by Deputy Keaveney of what facilities and equipment are required, communications and otherwise, will be examined,
As Minister, I am responsible for providing additional Garda personnel and resources; however, their deployment is a matter for the Garda authorities. I am informed that two Gardaí are based at Muff Garda station as well as a Garda on temporary transfer to Muff since 1999. Resources are augmented from within the division as required. Burnfoot Garda station provides 24 hour coverage to Muff sub-district.
Since I took office the strength of the force has increased consistently starting from a base line of 10,800. The number of Garda by the end of this year will be close on 11,800, which will be the highest in the history of the State. This increase in Garda numbers will continue, because last year, the Government approved my proposals for the recruitment of an additional 500 Gardaí. This latest recruitment will fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government to increase the strength of the Force to 12,000, an all-time record high. I am also providing the required financial resources. During my term in office we have seen continued investment being made to equip the Garda with the best equipment and technology available. A record £698 million has been allocated to the Garda vote this year compared to £472 million in 1997, which is an increase of £226 million.
In relation to the incident referred to by the Deputy, I am informed by Garda authorities that three people were arrested, two in the Republic and one in Northern Ireland. One person has since been charged in this jurisdiction and one person has been charged in Northern Ireland.
The Dáil adjourned at 10.40 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 7 March 2001.