John O'Donoghue
Ceist:156 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice whether she intends to make arrangements for Regulation 14 gardaí to receive basic Garda training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24063/96]
Written Answers. - Garda Training.
John O'Donoghue
Ceist:157 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice whether Regulation 14 gardaí are ever involved in ordinary police duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24064/96]
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Ceist:166 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Justice whether staff recruited under Regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána Admissions and Appointments Regulations, 1988, have at any time ever been involved in ordinary police duties; if so, when; whether she intends to enable these staff members to undergo the full Garda training course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23756/96]
Mildred Fox
Ceist:173 Ms M. Fox asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider providing basic Garda training to all Regulation 14 gardaí in view of the fact that Regulation 14 gardaí have in the past been ordered to deal with riot situations (details supplied) without riot training, have had their names used on warrants to search for drugs and have been required to give evidence in court proceedings without knowledge of court proceedings or the laws of evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23872/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 157, 166 and 173 together.
Regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 provides for the recruitment of persons to the force who have special technical qualifications. Members recruited under this provision do not have to fulfil all of the admission criteria required of members who are appointed to the regular uniform force.
The deployment of members of the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda authorities and they have informed me that members of the force recruited under Regulation 14 are not, apart from very rare occasions, required to assist with normal Garda work nor to discharge regular uniform duties. If Deputies are concerned about any particular situation in which Regulation 14 gardaí were allegedly engaged on ordinary Garda duties and they provide me with specific examples, I shall gladly have them investigated.
With regard to training, I should explain that a course in subjects relevant to their duties is provided for persons recruited under Regulation 14. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Commissioner is satisfied that this level of training is sufficient to equip them to carry out their duties. Training needs are constantly evaluated and in-house course are provided, if considered necessary.
The Garda authorities inform me that Regulation 14 gardaí will only have their names entered on warrants where the subject matter of the search relates to their area of expertise. In July 1996, two two-day courses were conducted during which nine Regulation 14 gardaí were given instruction on court procedure. Such members only give evidence on matters pertaining to their area of expertise.
In relation to the public order situation detailed in Deputy Fox's question, the Garda authorities point out that members of the Garda band, which has both Regulation 14 and other personnel attached to it, were on duty in their capacity as bandsmen at this event and did assist their colleagues on that occasion. The Garda authorities have informed me that they view this as a once off occurrence.