Emmet Stagg
Ceist:1240 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the 10% increase in Garda strength in the Carlow-Kildare division since 31 December 1997 compares very favourably with the other operational divisions throughout the country when he considers that serious crime is up 38% in Carlow-Kildare since 1998, the detection rate in Carlow-Kildare, at 29%, is the lowest in the country, that between 1996 and 2002 the population of Carlow-Kildare division increased by 19% and that County Clare has 446 citizens per garda while Carlow-Kildare has 590 citizens per garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/03]