Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if gardaí on the beat have a dedicated system for contact and co-ordination with their command centres; the official policy on the use of mobile phones when on patrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3954/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that dedicated radio systems are operated to provide beat and mobile patrols with communications to their district, division or area control centres as appropriate. I am also advised that official mobile phones are made available to all Garda managers and other nominated personnel as operational needs demand. In addition, specially configured mobile phones are available to all Garda personnel for contact with the Garda Information Service Centre for the creation and updating of incidents on PULSE. This obviates the need for Gardaí to return to their stations to report incidents thereby freeing up more Gardaí for operational duties. These phones can also be used to contact the members station, district and divisional headquarters and the 999 system.

There is specific exemption for members of An Garda Síochána under the Road Traffic Act 2006 on the use of a mobile phone while driving in respect of Gardaí who are acting in the course of their official duties.

A major project is currently under way to replace the existing radio systems with a single national digital radio system which will deliver high quality secure communications capability to An Garda Síochána.