Vol. 222 No. 14
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that Cork Corporation has been officially informed by the Garda authorities that at the moment all Garda stations in the city are operating below establishment strength; and what steps are being taken to rectify this situation.
16.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make available in Cork city sufficient Garda personnel for the efficient control of traffic, particularly in the MacCurtain Street-Bridge Street areas of the city at peak hours.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
I have been informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strengths referred to in the Questions which were fixed in 1941 have little relevance at the present time to police requirements. The system of police supervision and control has changed considerably since then, and the efficiency of personnel has been increased by the greater use of motor cars, motor cycles and radio.
As regards the control of traffic in the MacCurtain Street-Bridge Street areas at peak hours I understand that there is always a Garda on duty in each of these streets at peak times. I also understand that there is a pedestrain crossing, controlled by lights, in MacCurtain Street.
The strengths in the various Garda Divisions is kept under constant review by the Commissioner who considers that, having regard to the overall strength of the Force, the position in Cork is not inadequate for police purposes.
Is the Minister not aware that officially the Garda authorities came to Cork Corporation and informed the Lord Mayor, the City Manager and the members that they had not sufficient strength to cope with the problem of the MacCurtain Street-Bridge Street area? The Garda authorities told that to the corporation and the question is put down here in order to ask the Minister what is he going to do about it. The Garda authorities say they cannot cope because of insufficient staff.
The Deputy seems to be under a misapprehension. From the figures before me, the detection rate in Cork is 74 per cent compared with 58 per cent in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire. The situation mentioned by the Deputy has not been put to me by the Garda authorities. However, I will look into it.
The fact of the matter is that they have stated to Cork Corporation that they are understaffed to do the duties which the corporation expect them to do. The Minister should address himself to that.
