Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serving members of the gardaí employed as full-time drivers for Ministers, former Ministers and judicial figures; the annual cost in terms of salaries of such drivers; if he will undertake an assessment of whether this is the best use of Garda resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Ministers and others pursuant to a long-standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: Taoiseach; Tánaiste; 13 Ministers; President; Chief Whip; Ceann Comhairle; Attorney General; Director of Public Prosecutions; Chief Justice; former Taoisigh and Presidents.

There are no set rules as to when ministerial cars are replaced but, in general, those which are two years old and-or have a mileage in excess of 100,000 miles are considered for replacement.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that there are currently 73 gardaí attached to the ministerial pool of which 56 are allocated on a full-time basis as drivers for the ministerial fleet. The remaining 17 gardaí are on a relief panel and cover periods of absences through annual leave and illness. I am further informed that the annual costs of such drivers is approximately €5.2 million and includes salaries, allowances and subsistence. These drivers are tasked with providing personal protection, in addition to their driving duties, and there are currently no plans to replace them with civilian drivers.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the security arrangements the gardaí are planning for the Phibsboro area in view of concerns expressed by local residents arising from a decision that Shamrock Rovers will play its home matches at Dalymount from March 2005 when the new soccer season starts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4955/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Policing arrangements for public events and in locations generally, along with the allocation of Garda resources, are solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. However, I understand from the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána is not aware of any decision having been taken in relation to Shamrock Rovers playing at Dalymount Park. As I am sure the Deputy will understand, in the event of this situation arising, a multiplicity of factors will influence the policing arrangements which will arise. Where such events take place, the Garda authorities work closely with the relevant persons in the matter in order to avoid as much disruption as possible for residents in the immediate area and the surrounding community.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action which has been taken in 2005 to address the incidence of prostitution in the Dublin 7 area; the number of plain clothes and undercover gardaí available in the area; the average response time; and the details of the most recent prosecutions under the Breaches of Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 in that area. [5097/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that within the Bridewell district, which covers the Dublin 7 area, there are two plain clothes gardaí assigned to deal with incidents of prostitution. In addition to this, both regular patrols and district detective units are also involved in dealing with incidents of prostitution in the Dublin 7 area. I understand that response times are immediate in respect of the designated gardaí in the area, but that response times will vary in respect of other patrols depending on other demands at any given time.

I have further been informed that since 1 January 2005, there have been 12 prosecutions under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 in the area concerned. As the Deputy may already be aware, the legislation governing this activity is quite modern with the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 being the most recent statute. Prostitution is not in itself a crime, but the law seeks to protect prostitutes from exploitation and to protect the public from certain manifestations of prostitution. It is an offence for a person, in a street or public place, to solicit or importune another person for the purposes of prostitution. The offence applies equally to a prostitute soliciting a client, a client soliciting a prostitute or a third party soliciting one on behalf of the other. The same offence and penalties apply to prostitutes, clients or anyone who solicits in a public place. It is also an offence to solicit or importune another person in order to commit certain sexual offences, such as sexual offences with underage persons or to keep or to manage a brothel.

A significant provision is that a member of the Garda Síochána, who has reasonable cause to suspect that a person is loitering in a street or public place in order to solicit for the purpose of prostitution, may direct that person to leave the scene immediately. It is then an offence not to comply with such a direction without reasonable cause. "Loitering" includes loitering in a motor vehicle and this provision therefore also applies to kerbcrawlers. In addition to its other provisions the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 also extended the law on soliciting in public, which previously applied only to prostitutes and any third parties organising and profiting from prostitution.