Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

The Minister's response raises two questions. Given the unavailability of response times, how can one judge whether they are sufficiently quick? If one does not record response times, how does one determine whether they are improving?

Last night, I attended a successful meeting of my local policing forum attended by approximately 180 people. I was struck by a comment by the superintendent of the Mayfield district of Cork, in which Cork Prison is located, that a considerable number of Garda resources in the district are used for the transport of prisoners to the courts. Is the Minister examining the transportation of prisoners with a view to freeing up Garda resources, especially given that Garda numbers are declining? Is the proposed civilianisation of aspects of policing an option for addressing this issue?

See this speech in context