Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if discussions have taken place between her Department and the Garda Commissioner to examine the current divisional boundaries that separate adjoining estates and areas in Drogheda, County Louth, and County Meath, respectively (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13748/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and operations of An Garda Síochána. As assigning divisional boundaries is an operational matter, the Commissioner is responsible and I as Minister have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at a recent Louth JPC meeting which the Commissioner attended on 6 March 2020, he indicated that the matters raised in respect of the boundary alignment would be considered as part of the phased rollout of the new Garda Operating Model.
The current Garda divisions of Louth and Meath were created in 2008 alignment to align with the local authority boundaries. As the Deputy will be aware, while the Meath county boundary in the main falls on the southern side of the river Boyne, there are sections where the Louth county boundary crosses the river to the south bank. These areas are urbanised and form part of the town of Drogheda. There are some areas, which have been developed over the years leading to the expansion of Drogheda into County Meath. The areas featured include the M1 Retail Park, Avourwen Meadow, Copi Cross, Platin Road, Lagavooreen and Grangerath. These locations, although within the Meath Division, are served from Drogheda Garda station by way of local policing arrangement between management in both Garda Divisions.
As the Deputy will be aware, the new operating model for An Garda Síochána was recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, and in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Rollout of this new model meets a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future , the four year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
I understand from the Garda authorities that the new model is being implemented on a phased basis throughout 2020 and that the Commissioner and his team are meeting with Joint Policing Committees across Ireland, providing opportunities for detailed engagement at the local level.
