New radio system for gardaí may take two years

It will be another two years before a national digital radio service is rolled out for gardaí, it has emerged in the Dáil.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan claimed that "the lives of emergency services personnel, including the Garda, are being put at risk because of the Government's failure to provide" the new service.

A new secure communications system for the Garda was first promised in 1999, and almost a decade later "the failure to supply the Garda with up-to-date technology is tantamount to expecting it to take on sophisticated criminals with one hand tied behind its back".

However, the Government has stressed that the roll-out of a new system could begin in a few weeks once a framework agreement is signed, and it "is expected to be fully completed within a two-year timeframe", according to Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan.

"The Department of Finance has selected a preferred bidder - Tetra Ireland - for the service, and is currently conducting detailed contract negotiations with the company.

"I am advised that these negotiations are nearing completion, enabling a framework agreement to be put in place in the coming weeks."

Mr Flanagan highlighted the faults in the analogue system that "communications can be intercepted, with dangerous consequences for personnel".

"The radios do not always work, which has already endangered the lives of gardaí and other emergency services staff. No fewer than two pilot programmes have been rolled out in the same area of Dublin, and using the same technology, in 2001 and 2007."

The Fine Gael spokesman pointed out that more than a decade ago gardaí first asked for a better system to replace the one that was already 20 years old.

"However, the Tetra system has still not been rolled out nationally despite the promises made by the two previous holders of the office of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform."

Mr Ryan said that "almost €100 million has been provided for Garda technology-related projects", including the new radio service.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times