asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the recent armed robbery of a security van in the Limerick area and the lack of co-ordination between the security company and the Garda Síochána which was evident, he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Robbery.
22.
(Limerick East): I assume that the statement the Deputy is asking me to make concerns the allegation that there was a lack of co-ordination between the security company and the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda Síochána that the general level of co-operation and co-ordination as between the company concerned and their staff on the one hand and the Garda Síochána on the other is high. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by my making a statement about what did or did not occur in this particular case. Such a statement could not but appear as an attempt to suggest how any blame in the case should be apportioned. What matters is that there has been contact at management level between the Garda and the company as to what lessons are to be learned from what happened and as to how procedures should be maintained at a high level.
Will the Minister agree that what really matters is the fact that in broad daylight it was possible to steal in an armed robbery around £250,000, that there would appear to have been a lack of co-ordination in relation to this robbery and that the Garda did not seem to be aware of what was happening with the security firm? Will the Minister agree that there is a need for greater regulation of security firms and their operations, for their registration with the Garda and for greater co-ordination with the Garda in their work?
(Limerick East): I am happy that the existing arrangements, if carried out, are very effective. I do not want to sit in judgment on whether employees of a private firm were or were not in breach of arrangements. It is not for me to say, and I do not think there is any point in recriminations. As the Deputy said, the important factor is that a crime took place and a Garda investigation is proceeding to solve that crime.