Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had discussions with the Garda Commissioner regarding insecure Garda radio communications; if he has discussed or looked into the steps the Commissioner is taking to introduce a secure digital radio communications system; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the top systems being considered is the Tetra system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a secure digital radio service to An Garda Síochána is already well under way. Following a procurement exercise undertaken by the Department of Finance on behalf of An Garda Síochána and other emergency services, a preferred bidder, TETRA Ireland Ltd, has been selected. The preferred bid is based on Tetra standards.

A project procurement group which includes Gardaí and officials of my Department and under the chairmanship of the Department of Finance has been established to oversee the project. Following completion of a Service Performance Evaluation and the signing of contracts by the Department of Finance, nationwide roll out will commence. I am advised that preparation and planning by the Garda authorities is already well advanced with nationwide roll out planned to commence in the first quarter of next year. The entire project is expected to be completed over a 2 year period. I can assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and I are anxious that the new secure radio service will be fully rolled out as soon as possible.