Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for controlling the general management and administration of the Force within the context of agreed annual policing plans. This includes the procurement and maintenance of various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime, including PULSE.
With regard to major information technology projects, the Commissioner is supported in her decision making process by advice from the Garda ICT Steering Committee which comprises senior representatives from my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Garda Inspectorate and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In that regard I have been informed that no decision has been made to replace PULSE. Any such decisions on the future of PULSE will have due regard to the Garda Inspectorate report on Crime Investigation, published last year and I have clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address the various IT issues which were identified in the report. I understand a separate internal in-depth examination of all the recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate report has also been commenced by the Garda Commissioner and this will also encompass those relating to technology.