Vol. 503 No. 3
471 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the review of operation freeflow has been completed; and the plans, if any, he has to introduce a year long, county wide freeflow for Dublin. [9718/99]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have completed their review of Operation Freeflow IV which operated from 4 December 1998 to 9 January 1999. This operation was deemed a success by the agencies involved.
With regard to the possibility of introducing a year round operation freeflow campaign, I am further informed by the Garda authorities that such a course of action would not be possible due to the non-availability of the large number of probationer gardaí who were allocated to the Dublin area specifically for the duration of the last campaign.
However, Operation Clearway II commenced on the 25 January 1999 and will continue until 6 December 1999 when Operation Freeflow will recommence. The 22 main traffic arteries which were identified as areas needing targeted Garda attention under the ‘Freeflow' campaigns are now patrolled by Garda motorcyclists in a ‘looped' system comprising 14 routes. Each day during peak periods morning and evening 40 motor cyclists are deployed on these routes. In addition, approximately 35 garda on foot patrol are employed on ‘Clearway' duties.
