Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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491. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that are in armed units such as the emergency support unit and other such units at present; the number in such units in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36343/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.

I am advised by the Commissioner that for security and operational reasons the strength of the Armed Support Units cannot be provided.