Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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267. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 541 of 16 January 2018, the Garda stations in counties Roscommon and Galway that do not have access to the PULSE system due to a lack of broadband in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

However, the Deputy will be aware from my response to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 5 February 2018 that I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are two Garda stations in Roscommon and 12 Garda stations in Galway that are not connected to the network, due to lack of broadband in the respective areas. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that, for operational and security reasons, the locations of these stations cannot be released.

Where sites cannot be connected, for example where local broadband services are not yet available, I understand that other methods of providing members with network access are being explored, including the possibility of mobile technology.

I further understand that members in non-networked locations can contact the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) or an associated networked station if required.