Proposals by the Minister for Justice to create a reserve Garda force are just "flim-flam and kiteflying", because there is no legislation prepared, Fine Gael claimed.
Mr Bernard Durkan (FG, Kildare North) made the accusation as the Opposition also questioned why, in an effort to save €13 in subsistence payments, members of the Dublin Garda motorcycle unit, who deal with the city traffic, go for their tea at rush-hour and return when it is over. There was also a call for commitments about "Garda bicycles" for Dublin West to be honoured.
Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny raised the issue of the reserve force and asked about the details of the proposals, which the Minister, Mr McDowell, announced earlier this week and said would include retired gardaí.
Mr Kenny said the Exchequer estimate this year for the Garda was €963 million. He asked if the Cabinet had discussed legislation to implement the reserve force. "Has consideration been given to the numbers, role and responsibilities of the force, whether or not they will wear a different uniform and what duties will be assigned to them?" Mr Kenny said the Minister had "promised this nationwide and there is fear and concern on the streets". Retired gardaí "are anxious to know what he is talking about".
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said that no legislation was promised this Dáil session on the issue. "If legislation is required, it will be introduced but we do not have any further information." Both the Fine Gael leader and the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, pressed the issue and insisted that such a force could only be introduced with legislation.
Mr Durkan accused Mr Smith of "bluffing" and said Mr McDowell's announcement was mere "flim-flam and kiteflying".
Referring to the Dublin Garda motorcycle unit, Mr Rabbitte said that to save €13 for each garda, 12 of the 16 members of the unit assigned to "invigilate traffic" return to Dublin castle for their tea at 5.30 p.m. and return "after the snarl-up is cleared". Just four motorcycle gardaí are on duty at rush-hour to assist traffic flow, because the Garda Síochána was refusing to pay their subsistence allowance.
Mr Denis Naughten, Fine Gael's Transport spokesman demanded an explanation, particularly when traffic congestion was costing Dublin city €1.3 billion a year. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said it was an operational matter for the Garda.
Labour's finance spokeswoman, Ms Joan Burton said that the Minister of State for Justice had promised a "Garda bicycle" for Blanchardstown, When she asked how many bikes would the Dublin West town get and when, Mr Naughten quipped: "Does a garda come with them?" The Minister's response was: "You can cycle away on that one."
