Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:
513
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the complement of gardaí in the Dublin area assigned to traffic control duties on a full-time basis; the equivalent number for the Christmas free flow period; the cost annually to bring the level up to the Christmas period level for a full year; if he will arrange this due to traffic problems; if he will support the view of allowing the local authorities or the Dublin Transportation Office to have its own traffic police with full powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21076/99]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 183 Garda personnel are engaged in traffic related duties in the Dublin metropolitan area. In addition to traffic corps members, all uniformed gardaí throughout the city are involved in road traffic enforcement as required. I might add that traffic management operations are also assisted by the Garda air support unit which, primarily through the use of the helicopter, maintains direct communication with ground units and co-ordinates Garda operations from the air. I understand that the Garda mounted unit has also been used in specific operations. As the Deputy will appreciate, this represents a considerable level of investment and it is unique in terms of technology and expertise.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the latest phase of Operation Freeflow commenced on 4 December 1998 and concluded on 9 January 1999. The strategy involved the identification and enhanced patrolling by gardaí and traffic wardens of 22 main traffic arteries between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
On completion of Operation Freeflow, Operation Clearway commenced on 9 January 1999 and is scheduled to continue to 6 December 1999. I understand that details of the arrangements for the Christmas/new year period will be announced in the near future. I wish to assure the Deputy that the main artery routes already identified continue to be intensively patrolled, particularly at peak times, primarily using motor cycle patrols. The total Garda commitment to Operation Clearway is 101 members and to bring it up to the levels of Operation Freeflow would necessitate the permanent allocation of an additional 134 Garda members. As the Deputy may be aware, the question of the deployment of gardaí is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
As we all know, the increase in vehicular traffic in the greater Dublin area in recent years has contributed significantly to the current heavy traffic volumes experienced in the city. In addition to effective enforcement, improved road infrastructure, improvements in public transport and a cultural shift from private car use to public transport are all required to contribute to improved traffic flow. I should also state that traffic management is being tackled on a united front, with constant liaison both at a strategic level and at operational level between all the parties involved, including the Garda Síochána, the Dublin Transportation Office, local authorities and the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that the commitment of the Garda Síochána to traffic management and enforcement in recent times has increased significantly. As the Deputy will appreciate responsibility for the preparation and execution of traffic management plans for special events both indoor and outdoor and including VIP visits, parades, sporting fixtures and demonstrations and where public order can sometimes be an issue, for example, all rest firmly with the Garda Síochána. In addition to traffic management functions and enforcement, the Garda can, and do on a regular basis, deploy additional resources to specific problems, for example, accidents and obstructions as they arise.
The interrelationship between road traffic crime and other crime necessitates, in my opinion, the retention of a unified police structure as it is one of the inherent advantages of our policing system. I would have serious reservations about any move which resulted in the fragmentation of any aspect of policing. Indeed the establishment of separate local authority police forces could be overly bureaucratic and cumbersome given their scale and would not, I believe, be beneficial to the wider community which allows traffic corps members to deal with general crime as well as traffic related crime.
In addition, for the reasons already indicated, the establishment of separate non-Garda traffic police in the four local authority areas of the Dublin metropolitan area, accompanied by the necessary administrative support, would appear unwarranted and the increased fragmentation which would result would in fact hinder progress in managing traffic on a strategic basis.
As the Deputy may be aware one outstanding aspect of the overall traffic management area is the transfer of the traffic warden service from the Garda Commissioner to Dublin Corporation. The Government decision of 26 July 1995 which gives responsibility for traffic management in Dublin to Dublin Corporation has not yet been fully implemented due to the difficulties in resolving the transfer of the traffic wardens to Dublin Corporation. This was recommended to Government by the then Minister for the Environment as part of the Dublin Transportation Initiative Plan. I assure the Deputy that my Department is keen to resolve this matter and is in contact with Dublin Corporation, the Departments of Finance and the Environment and Local Government and the unions representing traffic wardens with a view to effecting the transfer as soon as possible.
