Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a Garda helicopter is employed regularly in the north inner city; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that residents are complaining about loud, intrusive noise at all hours of the night; the number of arrests made in Dublin 1 as a result of helicopter surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27459/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since January 1, 2006 the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) has made 39 specific flights to the North Central Division and has assisted in the arrest of 18 persons during these deployments.

I am further advised that there has been a small number of complaints regarding over-flying by the Garda helicopter to date in 2006. One complaint was received, in recent days, from a resident in the North Central Division, relating to the noise of a Helicopter. At that time the helicopter was assisting in the DMR North Central with the investigation of a serious road traffic collision involving a child. The Superintendent with responsibility for the GASU spoke directly to the individual concerned and explained in full the details of the operation.

It is Garda policy to minimise noise pollution by Garda aircraft to the greatest extent possible. However, as the Deputy can appreciate, it is not always possible to do so for operational reasons.