Vol. 534 No. 5
54 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí withdrawn from other divisions for duty along the Border in connection with the foot and mouth crisis; the implications for policing in other areas; the length of time he expects these officers to be required along the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/01]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that 703 members of the Garda Síochána have been transferred to the Border region, arising from the foot and mouth disease operation. In addition, local Garda management have also committed substantial resources to the operation.
Investigation incident rooms have been set up in Ardee, Roscommon, Abbeyleix and Carlow, where officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation are assisting locally based Gardai in the various investigations associated with the foot and mouth disease.
I am further informed that it is not possible at this time to indicate the duration of the operation but it is anticipated that it will continue as long as it is necessary to help prevent the disease spreading.
