Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if persons are obligated to report a suspected crime to their nearest Garda station regardless of the opening hours of that station.. [45786/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a suspected crime can be reported to any member of An Garda Síochána, irrespective of where the suspected crime took place. Contact details of all Garda stations are available on the Garda website which also provides advice to members of the public in terms of contacting An Garda Síochána, including to report a crime.

The advice from An Garda Síochána is if you are a victim, or a witness, to a crime you should report this to An Garda Síochána. You can do this by the following methods:

- Call 999 or 112 in the case of an emergency;

- Call your local Garda Station or call in person to your local Garda Station; and

- Using the online declaration which can only be used for declaring the theft of property not exceeding the value of €500 in the State.

Alternatively, the Garda Confidential line allows people to contact An Garda Síochána with confidential information relating to matters of crime or other activities. Members of the public can call this line on 1800 666 111. Similarly, Crimestoppers is a partnership initiative between private industry and An Garda Síochána, aimed at people who have information on crime. It guarantees anonymity and offers cash rewards for information. Members of the public can call this line on 1800 250 025.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Garda Traffic Watch hotline allows members of the public to report incidents of dangerous driving to An Garda Síochána so that the drivers can be intercepted, cautioned and if required brought through the courts process. The Garda Traffic Watch hotline is contactable by telephone at 1890 205 805.