THE lack of computerised information systems to support drug and fraud investigators was drawn to the attention of the Minister for Justice during a 21/2 hour meeting with the State's most senior Garda association yesterday.
The Association of Chief Superintendents has also warned that the recruitment embargo on the Civil Service is putting at risk the programme to give civilians administrative jobs in the Garda Siochana and to release gardai for operational duties.
A delegation from the ACS met Ms Owen to discuss developments in policing management and to try and sort out an overdue pay claim.
In its first public statement yesterday, the association welcomed the recently announced restructuring of the force and said a regionally organised force would fare better in dealing with drugs. However, it told the Minister that an adequate infrastructure and technology were needed to support the new regional commands.
Its statement said "Computerised information systems will be essential in managing operations on the scale being proposed. The new £26 million Information Technology Strategy will have to be accelerated so that new computer systems are delivered without delay."
The five chief superintendents drew the Minister's attention to the fact that computerised systems have yet to be provided for drug and fraud investigators. They also urged her to seek an exemption for the force from the recent embargo on appointments of civilian staff.
The embargo will lead to a reversal of the trend whereby a growing number of civilian staff were being appointed to release gardai for operational duty, their statement said.
The association is seeking satisfaction of an outstanding five year old pay claim for its members. The claim has been the subject of arbitration and a High Court case late last year but is still unresolved.
The 42 chief superintendents, the Garda's policy makers and most senior operational officers, are seeking a backdated pay claim amounting to 15 per cent.
The delegation which met Ms Owen yesterday consisted of Chief Supts Tom Monaghan, Galway Michael Fitzgerald, Limerick Eddie Cussen, Headquarters Patrick Crummy, South Dublin and John O'Brien, Headquarters.