Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The provision of a secure digital radio service for the Garda is well under way. Following the completion of a pilot digital radio project by the Garda authorities, a decision was taken to procure a single nationwide digital radio service for use by the Garda authorities, other emergency services and non-commercial State bodies. This enables economies of scale as well as allowing for inter-agency communication in the event of major incidents or cross agency operations. Following completion of the tender processes by the Department of Finance, a preferred bidder, TETRA Ireland Limited, was selected. A service performance evaluation covering a significant part of the Dublin metropolitan region and surrounds, including Dublin Port and the airport, was satisfactorily completed late last year to ensure the preferred bidder demonstrates its capability to deliver this key service for the emergency services, both from a technical and organisational perspective.

In parallel with the performance evaluation, detailed and intensive contract negotiations took place between the Department of Finance and the preferred bidder and the contract was signed on 1 May this year. Roll-out of the required infrastructure by TETRA Ireland has progressed well since the exchange of contracts. Significant additional resources were provided for in the Garda Vote this year and this will be used for the purchase of the necessary equipment such as hand-held radio equipment, radios for Garda vehicles, despatch equipment etc. As the contract is based on a managed service model, annual usage charges will apply and, therefore, there is no major up-front capital investment by the State in the provision of the network.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda project team is continuing with preparatory and planning work to progress the project work-streams and meet migration and roll-out milestones. I am further advised that this preparation and planning by the Garda authorities is well advanced and implementation will closely follow the roll-out of the infrastructure by the preferred bidder. The entire nationwide roll-out is expected to be completed over a two-year period. Until roll-out of the new system is complete, Garda authorities will continue to maintain their existing radio infrastructure, including the digital radio system servicing significant parts of the Dublin metropolitan region, and its analogue systems throughout the country. I assure the Deputy that the provision of a new secure radio service for the Garda Síochána as soon as possible remains a priority.

See this speech in context