asked the Minister for Justice if a patrol car will be provided for Ardee Garda station, County Louth, as there has been a number of armed robberies there in the last year involving the post office and bank.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardee (Louth) Garda Patrol Car.
12.
(Limerick East): The allocation of official transport to individual stations is a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that there is a radio-equipped patrol car assigned to Ardee station.
Is the Minister aware that the present car available in Ardee is a Renault 4 van? Does he accept that in this day and age that is totally inadequate for crime fighting?
(Limerick East): A Renault 4L car equipped with radio was allocated to Ardee station on 29 June 1983 to replace an Avenger patrol car which had been withdrawn from service. The Garda authorities consider the car is adequate to meet the present needs of the area.
Would the Minister consider re-establishing the divisional task force in that area, which would be a back-up and support to the Garda doing their normal duties? This car would then have the support of the divisional task force personnel with their equipment.
(Limerick East): This question does not have anything to do with divisional task forces. As I said before, divisional task forces have not been disbanded; they were integrated with the Special Branch in particular divisions. There are approximately the same number of Special Branch people, carrying the same armaments, as previously. This was an operational matter, a decision made by the Commissioner, so that there would be one specialised force in each division rather than two.
Why were the personnel transferred to other areas?
The Deputy is getting very wide of the question. If the Deputy puts down a question on this subject it will be dealt with.
The divisional task forces were set up to deal with armed robberies.
Yes. A general question on the task force is relevant but to go into the detail of the setting up, disbanding and transfer of the task force, is, in the opinion of the Chair, not relevant.
Is the Minister aware that the Commissioner stated publicly that this force was disbanded but the Minister keeps repeating that these members were integrated?
If the Deputy wants that information he should put down a question.