Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 8

Written Answers. - Garda Personnel in Dublin.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total number of Garda personnel on duty in the Dublin metropolitan area on 1 December 1995; the total number of Garda personnel on duty in the Dublin metropolitan area on 4 December 1995; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the general public are dissatisfied with the normal Garda personnel levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18893/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel to different areas. They have informed me that the number of members of the force, up to the rank of inspector, who were on duty in the Dublin Metropolitan Area up to 22.00 hours on the dates in question were as follows:

1 December 1995: 42 Inspectors, 184 Sergeants and 885 Gardaí. 4 December 1995: 35 Inspectors, 167 Sergeants and 890 Gardaí.

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that for security reasons the number of members of An Garda Síochána who were employed on duty in connection with the visit of President Clinton are not included in these figures.

The Garda authorities are satisfied that the current levels of Garda personnel deployed within the Dublin Metropolitan Area are adequate to meet the current demands. As Minister for Justice, I am responsible for the delivery of an efficient and effective police service to the community. The deployment of resources in the Garda Síochána and the operational control of the force remain the responsibilities of the Garda Commissioner.