Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress achieved in respect of the provision of a national digital radio system for the Garda Síochána. [27210/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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If I used the word "farce" in response to a previous reply given by the Minister, I must use the words "monumental fiasco" to describe this issue. We are waiting ten years for the digital radio system. Earlier this year, the Minister's predecessor engaged in a fine public relations stunt called the signing of the contract. I was present at the Garda conference when much was made of the announcement to exceed all announcements that this system was on the way, the contract had been completed and nothing would stand in the way after ten years in the delivery of this vital infrastructural equipment for the Garda in the fight against crime, with which I am sure the Minister will agree.

Neither the Minister nor any official in his Department factored in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and ComReg in this issue. The signing of the contract and the agreement with TETRA Ireland Limited are all very fine except that this process has come to a complete standstill because ComReg has not given its consent and the service cannot proceed without the issue of the licence by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. What is happening in regard to this issue? How can we have a situation where another public relations stunt takes place and contracts are signed but the Minister replies that the service will be provided "as soon as possible"? What does he mean by that?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will it be connected to PULSE?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There is a misapprehension regarding the signing of the contract and the application to ComReg. I could not apply for a licence until a contract was in place and, therefore, that was a prerequisite for the application to be made. We could not make the application until we knew who was the contractor. There is no delay in that respect.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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How long will it take?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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That is a matter for ComReg, which is an independent body.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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What is the Minister doing about it? Has he made representations to ComReg?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The sooner the decision is made, the better but ComReg is an independent agency. We would like it to make the call as quickly as possible but we could not make the application to the commission until the contractor was in place.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That was not stated at the public relations stunt announcing this.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As soon as the licence details have been agreed, we will introduce the requisite statutory instrument, which will be signed by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.