Vol. 564 No. 5
317 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has furnished to him a report or any other information regarding the number of Garda Síochána members presently serving in the emergency response unit. [9457/03]
It is the view of the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that owing to the sensitive and confidential nature of duties performed by the emergency response unit – which include issues relating to national security – it would not be appropriate to disclose the information sought.
I am in agreement with that view.
318 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has furnished to him a report or any other information on plans to deal with policing implications of Ireland's presidency of the EU next year, specifically the large scale demonstrations at EU summit meetings as has been the norm in other European capital cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9458/03]
319 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has furnished to him a report or any other information on the policing implications of Ireland's presidency of the EU next year in terms of costs, additional staff requirements, new equipment to be purchased, new vehicles to be purchased, and overtime costs. [9459/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together.
The question of additional policing requirements for the hosting of Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004 is a matter that is currently under discussion between my Department and the Garda authorities.
320 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has furnished to him a report or any other information regarding the non lethal alternatives to firearms available to the Garda Síochána at present; if there are plans to acquire more non lethal weapons for the Garda; if so, the testing and consultation processes that have taken place or will take place; and the training currently given and planned for members of the Garda Síochána on the use of non-lethal weapons. [9460/03]
I have recently authorised the acquisition and introduction, for use by the emergency response unit, of three less than lethal devices recommended in the implementation plan for the introduction of less than lethal devices into the Garda Síochána. These are: bean-bag shot – kinetic energy round; ferret 12 gauge OC/CS shotgun cartridge – delivering CS gas; and aerosol projector – delivering pepper spray.
The recommendations of the implementation team in respect of procurement of equipment and the development and delivery of training are currently being advanced.
321 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has advised him of the number of Garda vehicles attached to Kevin Street Garda Station, Dublin. [9461/03]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources that there are currently 14 vehicles attached to Kevin Street Garda Station.
322 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and increasingly open drug dealing on the streets of Inchicore, Dublin; if he has any indication from the Garda Commissioner of how he proposes to tackle this ongoing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9462/03]
350 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and increasingly open drug dealing on the streets and in the parks of Drimnagh, Dublin 12; if he has any indication from the Garda Commissioner of how he proposes to tackle this ongoing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9492/03]
363 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and increasingly open drug dealing on the streets of south west inner city Dublin; if he has any indication from the Garda Commissioner of how he proposes to tackle this ongoing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/03]
366 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that he intends to take to ensure that the Garda Commissioner prioritises the tackling of violent and drug crimes in our towns and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/03]
367 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and increasingly open drug dealing on the streets and in the parks of Crumlin, Dublin 12; if he has any indication from the Garda Commissioner of how he proposes to tackle this ongoing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9512/03]
373 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and increasingly open drug dealing on the streets and in the parks of Ballyfermot, Dublin; if he has any indication from the Garda Commissioner of how he proposes to tackle this ongoing problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 350, 363, 366, 367 and 373 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the activities of known drug dealers in the Dublin area are monitored continuously by specialised district drugs units with the assistance of the Garda national drugs unit. Arrests are made, as appropriate, resulting in successful prosecutions.
In addition, significant seizures of major drugs continue to be made. In the first few months of 2003, the Garda Síochána have seized more than €23 million worth of cannabis, more than €1.5 million worth of cocaine and more than €15 million worth of ecstasy. These seizures are in line with a key objective of the national drugs strategy which is to reduce significantly the volume of illicit drugs available.
323 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has advised him of the number of gardaí attached to Kevin Street Garda Station, Dublin. [9463/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the day to day allocation of resources, that the personnel strength of Kevin Street Garda Station as at 4 April 2003 is 144, all ranks.
324 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has reported to him the number of recorded crimes by type recorded by the Kevin Street Garda Station for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. [9464/03]
332 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has reported to him the number of recorded crimes by type recorded by the Kilmainham Garda Station for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. [9472/03]
344 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has reported to him the number of recorded crimes by type recorded by the Crumlin Garda Station for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. [9486/03]
357 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has reported to him the number of recorded crimes by type recorded by the Sundrive Road Garda Station for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. [9500/03]
377 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has reported to him the number of crimes by type recorded by the Ballyfermot Garda Station for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. [9522/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 332, 344, 357 and 377 together.
