asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider seeking the assistance of a specially trained military squad to be available on call, if required, to deal with armed bandits wherever or whenever they may attempt to dislocate and threaten the lives of citizens of this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection against Armed Raiders.
2.
Under existing regulations, the Garda Síochána are authorised to call on military assistance if they consider that the circumstances are sufficiently serious to necessitate such assistance.
The commissioner has informed me, however, that the resources within the Garda Síochána are fully adequate to deal with the situation.
Could the Minister indicate to the House, in regard to the armed raid which took place recently where unarmed gardaí were shot and one of them actually murdered, how he proposes to deal with such a set of circumstances if it arises again?
This is a matter primarily for the professional judgment of responsible police officers, and the Minister for Justice will be guided by their advice in dealing with that kind of situation.
I agree it is a specialised matter, but the Minister can appreciate that in this raid that took place the alarm bell was sounded and the force that was sent to deal with these armed bandits was an unarmed one. Can he assure the House that that situation will not arise again?
The particular set of circumstances referred to by the Deputy is being borne very much in mind by the senior officers of the Garda Síochána, and any steps that are needed to deal with any recurrence or any possible extension of that type of situation will be taken by them.
Is it not true that the Government or the Minister for Justice have not, over the past year, backed up the senior Garda officers in their request to the Government to enforce law and order?
I want to take this opportunity of repudiating the absolutely irresponsible attitude indicated by the supplementary question asked by Deputy L'Estrange. Deputy Esmonde's question was a responsible question and I think it was answered responsibly. Deputy L'Estrange is seeking to make political capital out of a very serious matter which is one for the professional competence of the Garda Síochána. I want to assure the House that the Government will be entirely guided by their advice and will not depart from or repudiate their advice.
Is it not true that the present drift to anarchy in this country is due to the Government's neglect and to the fact that the Government have not done their duty? Will the Minister tell me why the Taoiseach will not go on television and condemn these anarchists, the bank robbers, as he condemned the farmers three years ago?
In my view and I would say in the view of the Government the leading political anarchist in this country is Deputy L'Estrange.
Further arising——
Will the Deputy resume his seat?