Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the first Garda car to respond to a call from a household (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding an attack on the household's home and car came from the Leixlip Garda Station given that closeness of the local station. [33631/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it took over an hour for a Garda car from the local Garda station to respond to a distress call on 3 November 2005 from a household (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33632/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is acceptable that when persons (details supplied) in County Dublin called to their local Garda station regarding an incident of vandalism on their property on 3 November 2005 they were told the drivers of the only Garda car available were on a break. [33633/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, between the arrival of the first Garda car from Leixlip Garda station to an address (details supplied) in County Dublin and the second car from the local Garda station, the house came under a barrage of bottles and other missiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33634/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is a shortage of evidence bags, as gardaí collecting bottles from the scene of an attack on a house (details supplied) asked the householder for a bag in which to put the evidence. [33635/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 3 November 2005 a house (details supplied) in County Dublin came under attack and the reason the Garda Síochána never arrived at the scene despite being notified of same. [33636/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 190, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda records indicate that they responded on the date in question to two separate calls to the address referred to by the Deputy. On the first occasion, gardaí were advised that the person referred to wished to discuss damage to their car. Gardaí arrived on the scene within 37 minutes and remained with the caller for 23 minutes.

I am also informed that gardaí responded within two minutes to the second call, which indicated that criminal damage was being caused to the home and property of the person referred to in the question. Gardaí remained at the scene with the person for 58 minutes. Neither response, therefore, took more than one hour. The Garda personnel from Leixlip Garda station who responded to these calls were deemed to be the most appropriate unit to deploy on that occasion.

I understand the Garda authorities are currently carrying out an investigation into these incidents. I am further advised that there is no shortage of Garda evidence bags for collecting evidence from scenes. On the occasion in question, gardaí were offered a bag by the person referred to. Gardaí at the scene deemed it appropriate to accept this offer.

I am advised that Garda management ensure that there is a prompt response to calls for Garda assistance and that there are sufficient resources available to respond to such calls. In the event of gardaí availing of meal breaks, necessary arrangements are in place to ensure that appropriate personnel resources are available to respond to members of the public.