Garda security review backed

The Garda Commissioner would be reviewing the security of a number of other people as well as former Taoisigh, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said last night.

Mr McDowell did not state who the others were but commended as "quite right" the decision by the Garda Commissioner to "reassess" the use of available Garda personnel, to ensure he could get as many gardaí as possible into the "front line".

It emerged this week that the Commissioner would withdraw full-time Garda protection from the homes of former Taoisigh in the coming months.

Speaking as the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill was passed in the Dáil last night, the Minister said there were many "static" posts that had nothing to do with former Taoisigh and their use should be carefully examined. It required 5.2 gardaí to maintain a static post on a 24-hour basis, and this was expensive in terms of manpower resources.

Mr Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin Central) said the review should be widened to include the introduction of civilian drivers for ministers. "In the past there was a consideration of the security needs of ministers because of the threat of terrorism and ministers certainly needed greater security then."

Mr McDowell said however that the use of detective gardaí as ministerial drivers was a "long-standing practice".

A civilian driver would have to carry a firearm or else there would be a requirement for armed gardaí.

The Minister rejected Labour spokesman Mr Joe Costello's amendment for all drink bottles and cans to have the names of the premises of off-licence sales.