Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the roll-out of the TETRA programme for installing modern information and communication technology equipment in all Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29383/07]

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 underway. 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.

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 — which involves rollout of infrastructure in a significant part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region and surrounds — and the signing of contracts by the Department of Finance, nationwide rollout will commence. I am advised that preparation and planning by the Garda authorities is already well advanced with nationwide rollout 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.