asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the complete lack of security at Post Office sorting offices, and if officials from his Department will enter into discussions with representatives of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and the Garda Síochána in an endeavour to improve matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Security at Post Office Sorting Offices.
20.
As the Deputy will appreciate, responsibility for security at Post Office sorting offices as well as for other aspects of the running of those offices is vested in the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. Accordingly, while I have of course a major interest in the question of security at any offices where large sums of money may be kept, it would be inappropriate and contrary to accepted practice for me to comment on any inter-departmental discussions that might take place about what is primarily the responsibility of another Minister. The Deputy may take it, however, that there is constant and close liaison between the Garda Síochána and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on all aspects of security in relation to Post Office operations.
Surely the Minister is aware that any member of the public can walk quite freely into most of the sorting offices where very often there are large sums of money?
With regard to this particular type of question Deputy Deasy must know that that question should be addressed to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. I am aware that discussions have taken place not alone at departmental level but with the Garda Síochána and at ministerial level with regard to bringing about much needed improvements in security at Post Office level.
Is the Minister aware that there is great anxiety among sorting staff in the post offices at this lack of security?
There is anxiety everywhere where money is being kept at the moment and there has been for some considerable time.