Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1167. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown by division, in tabular form, for the number and ranks of gardai assigned to Operation Citizen per month since its commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38327/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Operation Citizen was implemented on 22 October 2021 for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities. It aims to deliver a high visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis.
I am informed by Garda authorities that, due to operational reasons, it is not possible to give a breakdown of the members assigned to Operation Citizen per month for the history of the operation. However, at present, there is one (1) Inspector, seven (7) Sergeants and sixty six (66) Gardaí assigned to Operation Citizen.
Personnel from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations are allocated on a full time basis to Operation Citizen. All personnel assigned to ‘Operation Citizen’ are paraded on a daily basis at 8 a.m. and at 4 p.m. and are assigned a particular sector within the scope of Operation Citizen to patrol on foot.
Members assigned to Operation Citizen continue to be deployed on beat patrol. Members dedicated to Operation Citizen are not routinely deployed on mobile patrols; however, typically, on a daily basis there are eight (8) mobiles patrolling the core city centre for each tour, assigned from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations. Where a requirement arises, mobiles assigned to the Bridewell, Mountjoy, Kevin Street and the wider DMR also provide a response capability.
Members of the Garda Mounted, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit and DMR Roads Policing Unit support Operation Citizen by way of high visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events.
