Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the function of members of the Garda Reserve; the number of members stationed at Garda stations (details supplied); if he has satisfied himself with the effectiveness of the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47304/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that the establishment of the Garda Reserve is one of the most progressive innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years . It has strengthened the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. Full-time and Reserve members are working well together and I believe that the positive impacts made since the establishment of the Reserve in late 2006 bode well for the future of the force.

The duties of a Reserve Garda are as follows: Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners; Assistant to the Station Orderly; Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV; Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the permanent Garda Service; Static security duty; Road traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full-time member; Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major sporting events; Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies; Giving evidence in court; Community/ Neighbourhood Policing.

The powers of Reserve Gardaí are as follows: Under the Road Traffic Act 1961/2006: they can demand production of driving licence in accordance with Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act 1961/2006; they can demand production of a certificate of insurance or exemption in accordance with Section 69 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006; they can regulate traffic movement in accordance with Section 91 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006; they can require a person driving a vehicle in a public place to stop in accordance with Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.

Power of arrest without warrant under: Section 40 (4)(a) & (b) Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006; Section 69(5) Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006; Section 109 Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006; Section 4(3) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 (power of arrest for an 'arrestable offence')

14 Garda Reserve members are attached to the stations referred to by the Deputy as follows: