Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can only agree that the exchange of vital information in respect of persons in communities does need to take place routinely within the Garda. If information is available in a divisional office and if a person is living in an area in which there is a local Garda station, of course the local gardaí should have that information.

This will be facilitated further the more we get to use IT solutions for passing on information. It is a question of making sure there is access, whether it be to PULSE or the investigations. Since last year, I think, we have an improved situation whereby we do not just have criminal incidents on PULSE, but also the actual progress of an investigation. This means that every garda should be able to make a call to find out the status of a particular case in terms of an investigation. Indeed, it is very helpful to members of the public for the Garda to give them the information as well. Obviously, it is about the proper communication systems between gardaí but it is also about making sure they have the resources to exchange information in a meaningful, fast and effective way and that they have access to those resources. That is why there has been investment of over €200 million into the IT systems. The Garda had been way behind and is still struggling to have the kind of modern communication technology that it needs and that is commonplace in every other police force.

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