Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 729: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the most modern communications technology is now available to gardaí at all Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31316/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 753: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if digital radio is available to An Garda Síochána on a national basis; and if not available on a national basis, the number of gardaí who have access to digital radio. [31407/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 753 together.

The rollout of the National Digital Radio System to the Garda Síochána commenced on a phased basis on 16th June, 2009. I am informed by Garda authorities that all Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan Region were successfully migrated to the new system during July of this year. The next phase of rollout in the Eastern Region is now under way and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. I am further advised that a total of 5,904 Gardaí have access to the new digital radio service at this stage of the rollout. Nationwide rollout of the radio system is on schedule for completion by the second Quarter of 2011. In the meantime Garda authorities will continue to maintain the existing radio infrastructure as required in areas not yet covered by the new system.