John O'Donoghue
Ceist:4 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to establish an aerial unit. [8523/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Air Support Service.
Air support to the Garda Síochána is currently provided by the Air Corps and there is little doubt that air support is an effective and important aid in combating criminal activity. The support provided by the Air Corps to the Garda Síochána has proved to be very effective in this regard.
The question whether the Garda Síochána should have a dedicated aerial unit has often been raised over the years. It requires careful examination because of the potentially high costs involved and the need to determine how best to provide the force with the most effective air support. The availability of dedicated air support for policing is very much the way in which this is dealt with in other jurisdictions. This, and all other aspects will be examined by the interdepartmental working group which I recently established to look at air support for the Garda Síochána. The group is representative of officials from my Department, the Departments of Defence and Finance and the Garda Síochána, and will have suitable expertise available to it.
Does the Minister accept that there is a need for an aerial unit in the Garda Síochána, comprising fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, in view of the fact that Border controls have been removed and the predictions that this country would be vulnerable to large movements of drugs have proved to be correct? An aerial unit should be established as a matter of urgency.
Given that I have initiated an examination of this matter the Deputy may take it that I favour the provision of full air support to the Garda Síochána. This is currently provided by the Air Corps. It will be part of the work of the interdepartmental working group to examine the question of the adequacy of this service. Where available, it has proved to be very effective but no service is available at night time. As the air Corps has other business to transact, the working group will consider whether it is necessary to buy aeroplanes or helicopters for the Garda Síochána as part of a dedicated service. I have asked the group to complete its work as quickly as possible, hopefully by the end of the summer.
I, too, wish to acknowledge the contribution made by the Air Corps but does the Minister accept that, because it is involved in other work, such as fisheries protection and air and sea rescue, it cannot make facilities available at all times to the Garda Síochána and that there is no need for yet another committee or policy group to decide one simple question? What she is really saying is that she is putting it off for another day because she will not fund it.
That is not the reason I am putting it off for another day. It has been found in other jurisdications that the availability of dedicated air support from the Air Corps is the most effective way of providing such a service to the police force given that trained personnel are already available which reduces the length of time it takes to introduce the system. I want the working group to report back once it has determined which is the most effective way, whether it be the purchase of new aeroplanes and sending personnel away to be trained or dedicating the service that is already available and which would not be required to do any other work. I have commenced this procedure and I hope to be able to deliver before the end of the year. It is not therefore a question of putting this off until some date in the future. I have undertaken this study precisely because air support is necessary for a modern police force.
Is the Minister saying she has decided definitely on establishing an aerial unit in the Garda Síochána in 1995?
I have undertaken a study of the best way forward. There is already an air service support available to the Garda.
I know that.
If the Deputy knows that why does he continue to ask me about it?
Does the Minister understand the question?
There is an air support service available to the Garda and I am considering the adequacy of that service. When I receive the report changes will be made.