Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to allocate cycle equipment to Shankill Garda Station; if he will give details of such an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27936/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.

I have been further informed that there is currently one (1) Mountain bike allocated to Shankill Garda Station and two (2) members of An Garda Síochána have been trained and are fully equipped to utilise this bike within the Sub-District.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of all cycle equipment provided to the Garda stations in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown since January 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27937/06]

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 resources, including personnel, that since January, 2003 the number of Garda Mountain Bikes allocated to the Garda Stations concerned was as set out in the following table:

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider making cycle training a compulsory part of training for every member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27938/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Mountain Bike Units are engaged in mainstream policing, in conjunction with the Community Policing Units, concentrating on areas such as parks and laneways, which are more easily accessed by such transport and supplement beat and other mobile patrols. The Mountain Bike Units have been very successful in tackling anti-social disorderly behaviour in local parks and estates. They work well in conjunction with other Units due to their ability to respond quickly and effectively and provide a high visibility presence.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that arrangements are in place for training in the use of Garda mountain bikes to be delivered nationally. I am not aware that the Commissioner has any plans to make cycle training a compulsory part of training for every member of An Garda Síochána.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when anti-stab vests will be distributed to all members of An Garda Síochána as promised some time ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27939/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of Tuesday, 4 July, 2006.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to provide pepper spray to all members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27940/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 558 of Tuesday, 4 July, 2006.