Garda Operations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004

Tuesday, 27 January 2004

Ceisteanna (737)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

859 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests on foot of arrest warrants in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1332/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources which could not be justified in the circumstances.

However, I can inform the Deputy that the following numbers of bench warrants were issued by the courts in 2002: District Court, 22,149; Circuit Court, 436. Figures for the year 2003 are not yet to hand.