asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for the removal of a Garda superintendent from Dingle; and if he intends to replace him with another.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dingle Garda Superintendent.
68.
Dingle Garda district has been amalgamated with Tralee Garda district as a result of which a superintendent is available for duty elsewhere where his services will be more usefully employed.
The change arises out of a very thorough examination of the situation by the commissioner, based on the advice of his officers. I am satisfied that the commissioner is in the best position to assess police requirements in that area and that he has taken all relevant considerations into account.
Does the Minister's decision mean that the Department of Justice have now notified the Dingle Chamber of Commerce that four more gardaí and the squad car are to be taken out of the Dingle Peninsula? Would the Minister consider meeting the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the situation with them?
I do not think it is correct to say four more gardaí will be taken out. It is proposed to move three other gardaí——
And the squad car.
——who are attached to the superintendent's office in Dingle to other stations in the area. I have no information that it is proposed to move the squad car. Certainly no decision has been taken to that effect.
Will the Minister give an assurance to the House that the squad car will not be taken out?
I feel it would not be proper of me to commit the commissioner in that way if he felt it could be more usefully employed elsewhere.
Would the Minister meet the chamber of commerce to discuss the matter with them?
The superintendent has now left and I do not know that anything could usefully be done. However, I have no objection in principle to meeting them if they feel they have some new facts.
A typical example of the Fianna Fáil policy towards the Dingle Peninsula, downgrade it.