FORTY PER cent of Garda stations do not have the internet or email. Only 421 of the State’s 703 Garda stations are “networked locations”, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter revealed in a parliamentary response to the Fianna Fáil spokesman on justice Dara Calleary.
Mayo TD Mr Calleary said it was “absurd that such a basic necessity for the operation of any office would be so lacking within our Garda force”.
A total of 282 of the 703 stations lack the facility.
Mr Shatter said every district and divisional headquarter was a networked location “therefore providing access to that network for every member of An Garda Síochána”.
“It doesn’t help if you’re a mile away from a networked location,” Mr Calleary said.
He acknowledged that there had been significant investment in information technology at Garda divisional headquarters and at national level, but “community Garda stations are the frontline of policing in this country”.
He added: “Speed and efficiency of communication within the force is crucial to successful policing.”
A statement issued by the Department of Justice said: “The provision of information technology facilities is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
“This was the position throughout 14 years of continuous Fianna Fáil-led government and remains the position today as it is right that operational decisions are made by the Garda Commissioner and not the Minister for Justice.
“It is extraordinary that deputy Dara Calleary does not acknowledge or understand this.”
