The Garda Representative Association has said it will not be deflected from pursuing a policy of proper resourcing for an Garda Síochána ahead of any announcements from the Dept of Justice this week.

Dermot O'Donnell, GRA President said it is customary for Michael McDowell to make bland announcements on Garda resources ahead of their conference next week to blunt any criticism of his mismanagement of the force. He then uses these to refute any criticism he is failing to adequately resource the force.

"Its pure political pantomime on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell," said Mr O'Donnell. "We saw it more recently with the AGSI conference, where there were two paltry announcements on anti-stab vest and civilianisation the week before their conference. The Minister's view seems to be that Gardai are foolish enough to believe he is actually doing

anything about optimising the force when the converse is true. His record on this speaks for itself. We have had over 40 pieces of legislation brought in under his stewardship yet anything resembling announcements aimed at resourcing the enforcement of this mammoth legislative programme have been few and far between. While he speaks of record funding for an Garda Siochána, the reality on the ground is very different with most of that funding being swallowed up by mismanagement of overstretched Garda resources as result of too few Gardaí to do the work required of a growing population." Mr O'Donnell went on to say that Garda had always been proud of their detection rate but this had slipped in recent years as there were not enough Gardai to investigate the crimes being committed such as burglaries and theft.

"The question we want answered is why does the Minister have to be backed into a corner before making any announcements on Garda resources? And do we trust him that these will be followed through? The government record on this is abysmal. John O'Donoghue signed a contract with Nokia in 2001 to deliver a secure Garda radio system yet it seems to have vanished. Only last January, a new tender for a Garda radio system was re-issued by the Dept of Justice. What happened to the Nokia contract?

"Michael McDowell gave a personal assurance to the people of Dunmanway in Cork in October of last year he would see to it they would get a proper Garda station and extra Gardai yet nothing has happened and a town of over 2,500 people have

Only two Gardai on duty at the weekend still. If they make arrest they have to leave the town and travel the next town to put the prisoner in a cell as there is no cell in the makeshift station in Dunmanway."

The GRA was made aware last week the OPW were no longer looking to buy the proposed site for the promised station despite the Minister's assurance's to the Dunmanway public.

The final GRA/AGSI members regional information meeting on the proposed Garda Reserve will take place in the Red Cow Moran Hotel tomorrow at 7.30pm. This is the last meeting in the series which has seen members of both organisations turn out in huge numbers in Sligo, Cork and Portlaoise to voice their opposition to the proposal ahead of optimising the force first. Those attending will hear from Dublin GRA and AGSI reps in relation to the position of both organisations on the issue. Dermot O'Donnell said it was fitting the final meeting ahead on conference should take place at the intersection of DMR West with DMR South as this area had seen more than its fair share of organised crime activity. "Despite this, Gardai in these regions were going without basic protection that is afforded to every other European police force through the provision of bullet proof vests, anti-stab vests and pepper spray. Michael McDowell's answer to all this is a reserve force who will work for nothing which would be laughable if the situation was not so fraught with danger."