Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I will not ask any further questions on that. I expected that but just wanted to check. I am always critical of underspending by Departments and I do not think I should be any less critical of the Department of Justice and Equality. Normally, I reserve it for the Department of Education and Skills, which is overspending this year. My query relates to the capital building programme. The Minister referred to €29 million due to delays in certain projects and, of course, that happens. How imminent is the draw down of that €29 million in those particular projects? Are we talking about months or years? The Minister can be specific if she wishes. I do not mind.

I refer to €8.7 million in respect of aircraft. The Garda operates two EC135s and a Defender. I stand to be corrected, but I understand the two helicopters were acquired in 1997, or at least one of them was. Is there an operational ceiling on that or is there a major programme to keep the aircraft airworthy? I assume the considerable increase in budgetary spend of 52% might, in fact, relate to that. If its operational life is coming to an end, is there a plan in terms of the budget to acquire another EC135 or similar aircraft? Is the Defender aircraft a Garda aircraft or does it belong to the Air Corps? Does it have a duality of use? Will it appear in the Defence Estimates or as part of the maintenance budget?

My question on clothing and maintenance has been covered somewhat by my colleague, Deputy Jack Chambers. There is an additional €1.7 million for uniforms for student gardaí and the armed response unit in Dublin. Can the Minister provide a breakdown of the type of equipment associated with the uniform of the armed response unit? Are we talking about body armour? Is that included in the term "uniform" or are we literally talking about fabric here? Perhaps, the Minister can be a little bit more specific for me.

As a member of the committee, I note that the figures provided by the Department from An Garda Síochána and which were assessed by the CSO recently were nothing short of remarkable on a 12-month basis in regard to my own constituency and Garda division. In my division, which includes the constituency of Deputy Jack Chambers, there was a 40% reduction in burglary, which is extraordinary. These are CSO figures and, as such, are not coming out of the Department. I add the caution that we know there is a reduction in the reporting of crime, which is always a concern, but from my perspective and perhaps from that of the Minister, we can only allocate resources where we know about the issues involved. As my local Garda inspector has been saying during my 12 years in public life, constituents should always be encouraged to call An Garda Síochána even if a matter is minor because otherwise they will not know.