Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the expenses claimed by members of An Garda Síochána for mobile phone usage for the years 2005 and 2006. [12818/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that they do not approve for payment expenses that may be incurred by members of the force in connection with the use of private mobile phones. The policy of the Garda Commissioner is to promote the use of the organisation's radio systems as the approved communication system of the Force. I have provided the Commissioner with significant funding to both maintain the existing radio systems and to provide for a new state of the art digital radio service. Implementation of the new digital radio service has already commenced and the preferred bidder are now installing the service in a large area in North Dublin to demonstrate the performance of the system. This is scheduled to be completed by mid-July and thereafter, nationwide rollout will be completed within 2 years. As the rollout progresses and radio coverage is available, the gardaí will be migrating onto the new service.

An Garda Síochána also provides official mobile phones to individual members as required. In addition, mobile phones are made available to members in order to report incidents to the Garda Information Services Centre in Castlebar so that they do not have to return to their stations to enter the details onto Pulse. These phones can also be used to contact the local station as well as emergency services as required.