Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
93 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the Garda Síochána is sufficiently resourced to tackle gangland crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22611/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week in a lengthy debate in this House on tackling crime I made the point that the Government has a duty to vindicate the rights of citizens to enjoy their lives and their property peaceably. I repeat the assurance I gave to the House that this Government will never be found wanting in taking whatever measures can reasonably be taken to tackle crime. I also said it is my intention to prioritise areas such as gun crime, organised crime and drugs and public order. At the very forefront of those measures is providing the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána with the level of resources he needs to tackle crime in all its shapes and forms.
The current programme for Government re-affirms the commitment to increase Garda strength to 15,000, with a target date of 2010, with a commitment to further increase Garda strength to 16,000 by 2012. The current strength of the Garda Síochána is 13,288 with a further 1,358 recruits in training.
Approval has also been given for the recruitment of 600 civilian staff, 300 of whom have already been assigned. The civilianisation of non-policing functions is a priority development for the future of the force. As set out clearly by the Garda Síochána inspectorate, international best practice focuses police officers on core policing functions. Civilianisation will release many gardaí for the operational duties for which they are professionally trained.
The Garda budget now stands at €1.44 billion. This compares to just over €0.9 billion five years ago. Garda overtime this year will total about €140 million. This compares to €66 million five years ago. The Garda fleet is undergoing major modernisation. Last year €24.7 million was used to purchase 1,378 vehicles for the force, renewing over half the entire fleet. The national development plan provides €260 million over the next five years for Garda stations and other accommodation. This level of resources translates into tangible improvements with increased and improved levels of policing on the ground.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
Technology is and will continue to be an essential tool in supporting the gardaí in their day to day work and I am determined that the gardaí will have access to state of the art technology in carrying out their duties. The Garda Síochána will deploy the latest technology to enhance its capability to effectively tackle gangland crime. A new national digital radio system is being implemented over the next two years. Over 17,000 radios will be provided for gardaí, in Garda vehicles and other locations. The development of a new major incidents system will automate many of the functions currently being performed manually when a major incident occurs. The roll-out of a new automated fingerprint identification system for the Garda technical bureau is virtually completed. The procurement of a new automated ballistic identification system is underway.
Last week the Garda Commissioner announced significant enhancements to the way in which the investigation of major crimes will be managed by the gardaí. In addition to the appointment of 21 divisional detective inspectors and additional regional detective superintendents, a senior investigating officer will take charge of each serious crime investigation and each serious crime will also have a designated incident room co-ordinator.
Combating gun crime, organised crime and drug trafficking requires a sustained and long-term effort. There is no quick-fix solution. However, this Government and I are committed to continue resourcing the force to face these challenges into the future.
As we awoke this morning to the news of yet another gangland murder in our community I put it to the Minister that not enough is being done to resource the Garda Síochána. In saying that, I accept the Garda Síochána alone will not solve the crime crisis. There is a need for a community response. However, this community response must be led by a properly resourced and properly equipped Garda Síochána. Does the Minister accept the need for modern resources is paramount?
The gangland killings of the type to which we are now becoming accustomed on a daily basis will not be resolved or minimised until the Minister addresses the matter of resources as opposed to mere numbers. I draw his attention to the recently published report of former chief inspector, Kathleen O'Toole, in which she states almost half the Garda stations do not have access to a car. The Garda digital radio equipment promised by the Minister's predecessor ad nauseam has still not been delivered. Will the Minister specify when the contract for the pay and go radio network will be signed? It has been tested on numerous occasions.
I agree technology resources continue to be an essential tool in supporting the gardaí in their day to day work. I am determined the gardaí will have access to state of the art technology in carrying out their duties. In particular, the Garda Síochána will deploy the latest technology to enhance its capability to effectively tackle gangland crime. A new national digital radio system is being implemented over the next two years. Over 17,000 radios will be provided for gardaí in Garda vehicles and other locations. The development of a new major incidents system will automate many of the functions currently being performed manually when a major incident occurs. The roll out of a new automated fingerprint identification system for the Garda technical bureau is virtually completed. The procurement of a new automated ballistic identification system is underway.
Last week the Garda Commissioner announced significant enhancements to the way in which the investigation of major crimes will be managed by the gardaí. In addition to the appointment of 21 divisional detective inspectors and additional regional detective superintendents, a senior investigating officer will take charge of each serious crime investigation, and each serious crime will also have a designated incident room co-ordinator.
Combating gun crime, organised crime and drug trafficking requires a sustained and long-term effort. There is no quick-fix solution but the Government is committed to continuing to resource the force to face these challenges.
Does the Minister agree that these gangsters are not living in fear of anybody and that there is now a subculture of vicious crime that needs to be addressed? Does he agree that the standard stage-managed response of the Government over the past five years or more has been to say that, on foot of a meeting with the Garda Commissioner, the Minister has been assured the question of resources is not an issue? This well-worn mantra is no longer valid in the context of Kathleen O'Toole's report.
Will the Minister comment on improvements for the emergency response unit and his attitude towards arming further units of the Garda Síochána? Will he consider favourably discussing with the Garda Commissioner the concept of introducing the Defence Forces as back-up, if necessary? We are dealing with circumstances in which the Garda is so under-resourced that it is not equipped properly to deal with this issue. We need a response of a kind that has not featured to date.
I do not accept that the Garda is under-resourced — this is not at the heart of the difficulties we are facing — and I do not accept my discussions with the Garda Commissioner are stage managed. As a matter of necessity, every Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must liaise constantly with the Commissioner. As late as yesterday, the Commissioner assured me he has sufficient resources to deal with the intelligence aspects of the problem in question.
Under the relevant legislation, it is not the function of the Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate to advise the Minister on resources; there are plenty of people who give us opinions on resources. It is the function of the inspector to ensure resources are being utilised efficiently and wisely, and the inspector's reports to date on this subject have been of a very high standard and repay study.
On the possible deployment of the Defence Forces, the Defence Forces assist the civil power when required. As the Deputy has raised the question, I will certainly raise it with the Commissioner. Naturally, if the Garda Síochána were of the opinion that it needed the assistance of the Defence Forces to back up the civil power, it would request such assistance. However, it should be borne in mind that the Defence Forces are not trained in policing functions.
