Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Stations.

Denis Naughten

Question:

373 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in refurbishing Clonark Garda station, County Roscommon; when the refurbishment work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9603/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I understand from the Garda authorities that approval has been given to renovate the Garda station and accommodation at Clonark, County Roscommon. The station will be given an appropriate priority listing when the review of Garda accommodation, which is currently being carried out by the Garda authorities, is completed. Until then, I am not in a position to indicate to the Deputy when work to the station will commence.

Denis Naughten

Question:

374 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current opening hours to the public of Clonark Garda station, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that the opening hours for Clonark Garda Station, which operates under the rural policing scheme, are as follows:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.;

Monday, Friday, Saturday, – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The "green man" radio communication system is operable between Clonark and the district headquarters in Ballinasloe when Clonark is unmanned. Ballinasloe is open 24 hours every day and there are mobile patrols working around the clock. In addition, the divisional traffic corps and district detective branch patrol Clonark sub-district.

Denis Naughten

Question:

375 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the level of service being provided by the Garda authorities at Clonark Garda station, County Roscommon; the actions he intends to take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that one garda is attached to Clonark Garda station and will take up residence in the station when renovations to the station have been completed.

The "green man" radio communication system is operable between Clonark and the district headquarters in Ballinasloe when Clonark is unmanned.

Ballinasloe is open 24 hours every day and there are mobile patrols working around the clock. In addition, the divisional traffic corps and district detective branch patrol Clonark Sub-District.

No complaints have been received from the public about the lack of Garda attention. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the value of fines collected for speeding by camera detection since the inception of this service is not readily available. It would require a considerable amount of Garda time to compile such information which I am sure the Deputy will appreciate could not be justified. As the Deputy may be aware, the gardaí utilise in-car video, mobile video cameras and fixed camera systems for speed detection. The gardaí also use other speed detection equipment such as lasers and radar speed guns for example.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities, however, that in respect of fixed speed cameras, the number of detections from April 2000 to 23 March 2001 was approximately 48,646. A recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General has shown that 84% of these fines are paid without the need to institute court proceedings.

The Deputy may be interested to know that in the year 2000, the provisional total for the number of on-the-spot speeding fines issued by the gardaí was 224,264.