Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if all Garda stations throughout the country are fully fitted with PULSE and all other modern technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43368/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda stations with PULSE connections has been increased to 369. These stations account for the capture of over 85% of incidents on the PULSE system. Email and internet access facilities are also available at every Divisional Headquarters, District Headquarters and 24 hour Garda Station.

It has never been the intention of the Garda authorities to provide PULSE at every Garda location. The extension of the system is regularly reviewed by Garda management with additional stations added as operational needs demand. In addition, the Garda Information Services Centre in Castlebar has access to PULSE for recording incident details phoned in by investigating members. This facility also covers all non-networked locations. With regard to other modern technology, the Deputy will be aware, in particular, that the National Digital Radio System is being rolled out for An Garda Síochána and it will be operational for the Force nationwide in 2011.