Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is acceptable that the Garda Síochána has been failing to provide protection to fire brigade crews in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council area who have come under attack while dealing with deliberately started house fires on a council housing estate in Loughlinstown; the reason these arson attacks are not being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29600/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that Garda support for fire brigade crews is provided when requested. The Garda authorities inform me that the area the Deputy is referring to is a residential complex consisting of three storey properties that are in the process of being demolished. It is anticipated that the demolition will be completed within a short time once the remaining residents have been rehoused. Some units have been the subject of criminal damage, mainly small fires in and around the disused areas of the complex. The local detective unit is currently investigating incidents of criminal damage in the area.

I understand that meetings between local Garda management and local representative groups are ongoing and meetings have also taken place between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the builders and the site security company. The area receives and will continue to receive extra Garda attention in the form of both mobile and beat patrols. In the period around Hallowe'en, the area will be a high priority and will continue to be the focus of increased high visibility patrolling.