Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014
122. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an assessment of the performance of the Garda Reserve; the number of active members of the Garda Reserve that are contributing to police in the State; the duties carried out by members of the Garda Reserve; her plans to enhance the role of the Garda Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38858/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The Commissioner has advised that the Garda Reserve continue to be a significant additional resource available to the Force in terms of supplementing its policing and other functions. I am also a supporter of the Garda Reserve and would like to place on record my appreciation of their work in supporting the Force in its duties to the Community.
The personnel strength of the Garda Reserve on 31 August 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 1,143 with a further 84 in training.
The range of powers and duties of Reserve Gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine under section 15 (5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The duties of a Garda reserve member include the following:
- Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners.
- Assistant to the station orderly.
- Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV.
- Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the full-time Garda service.
- Static security duty.
- Road Traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full time member.
- Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major sporting events.
- Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies.
- Giving evidence in court.
- Community / Neighbourhood Policing.
The Garda Commissioner has also determined that the powers of reserve members will be confined to the enforcement of certain legislation including aspects of the Road Traffic Acts and the Public Order Acts.
Reserve members also have the power of arrest under the Criminal Law Act 1997, which provides powers of arrest for both members of the Garda Síochána and civilians.
The Commissioner, following an internal review of the Reserve, decided to extend their powers to include powers under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts 1994 to 2011, and Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended, in relation to the seizure of vehicles and the power to issue Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPN) and serve summons.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the training of all the Garda Reserve in the new powers will be completed shortly.
