Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
428. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if there are any plans to set up dedicated scrambler apprehension units in urban areas, properly resourced units with the vehicles and equipment needed for their role. [4307/24]
View answerAt the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that community safety is a top priority for me as Minister and this Government as a whole. The Department's community safety policy is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own community and is being piloted in three locations around the country, ahead of a planned national rollout later this year. As part of that process, a Community Safety Strategy will be developed to address criminal behaviour, anti-social behaviour and other factors that affect people’s perceptions and experiences of safety. This approach goes far beyond the traditional policing response and requires all relevant state bodies and voluntary organisations to work together in a joined-up way, in partnership with the local community, to prioritise and effectively address issues in their own area.
As the Deputy will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing decisions. Under section 33 of the Act, the Commissioner determines the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister I am unable to direct or seek to influence the Commissioner in regards to the establishment of Garda units.
To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities and they have advised there are no plans to establish dedicated scrambler apprehension units within An Garda Síochána.
All members of An Garda Síochána have a role in the enforcement of road traffic legislation, including the illegal use of scrambler type motorcycles in public places. An Garda Síochána maintain a dedicated Roads Policing unit within each Garda Division whose focus is on dedicated road safety operations within those Divisions.
These units are supported by their Divisional colleagues, both uniform and detective, in keeping people safe in our communities.
In areas where local problems or issues arise, the Divisional Officer will put in place plans to address these issues, as was seen in Limerick in October 2023 when 44 scramblers were seized and 5 people arrested as part of a targeted operation.
