Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to introduce the Garda Charter, promised in the Programme for Government, setting out targeted Garda response times and levels of service which the public can expect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14078/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The policing priorities for 2008 which I set for An Garda Síochána include, "To increase the level of high visibility patrols, including through greater use of marked vehicles, linked to the development during 2008 of a Garda Charter which will set out targeted response times and levels of service, including frequency of high visibility patrols."

This priority has been incorporated into the Annual Policing Plan for 2008 by the Garda Commissioner who has set a target for its development later this year.

Earlier this month I asked the Garda Inspectorate to examine the allocation of Garda resources and also to provide advice on the development of a Garda Charter as proposed in the Programme for Government and I look forward to receiving its advice.

An Garda Síochána has always been cognisant of its duty to provide a high quality service to the public. It has currently in place a Garda Customer Charter and a Declaration of Ethical and Professional Standards, and it is developing a Customer Relationship Model for all its customers.

I aim to build on the excellent record of An Garda Síochána in this regard through the development of a Charter which will ensure that Garda resources are targeted where they can have most effect and can respond rapidly and effectively to the needs of communities in all parts of the country.