asked the Minister for Justice the total number of ban-ghardaí at present; if any recent recruitments have been made and, if not, if he will state the reason.
25.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Ban-Gharda.
24.
asked the Minister for Justice if there has been any change in the allocation of duties to members of An Ban-Gharda; and, if so, the reasons.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.
Two ban-ghardaí were recruited in January, 1972, bringing total strength to 26 of whom five are ban sergeants.
There has been no change in the allocation of duties to ban-ghardaí.
Could the Minister indicate to the House why it is in recent years ban-ghardaí have been conspicuously absent from Dublin streets? Some years ago it was quite a common thing to see ban-ghardaí on duty.
This is not so. The reason why it may appear to be so is that some years ago ban-ghardaí were doing traffic duty such as parking enforcement and that type of work. The type of work they are now doing means that they are seen on the streets less often. When they are on the streets they are more often in plain clothes.