Vol. 495 No. 4
338 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent of the availability of high tech equipment to the Garda Siochána to assist in the fight against crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20551/98]
The Deputy is aware that I have always supported the provision of all the equipment and technology necessary for the Garda to do their job in an efficient and cost effective way. In this regard, the following equipment has been provided in recent years or is currently in the process of being provided: closed circuit television systems in Dublin, Tralee and Cork; an air support unit, including a fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter equipped with the most modern equipment and technology; sophisticated speed and traffic detection technology; a computerised automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS); a variety of operational devices such as the stinger.
The Garda authorities have also embarked on a plan to replace and enhance their computer systems with state-of-the-art client server systems under the PULSE Project (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively). Similarly, in terms of telecommunications, the Garda authorities have their own expert section which engages in a continual updating of equipment. Members of An Garda Síochána also avail of the services of the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Technical Bureau in the fight against crime.
