222 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have been assigned to Border areas in connection with the BSE problem; the stations from which they have been drawn; the arrangements, if any, that have been made to provide cover for them in their absence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11493/96]

224 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice whether a total of four gardaí have been posted to Border duties from the Ronanstown Garda District, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this will have a serious effect on the garda numbers servicing the Ronanstown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11516/96]

225 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Justice whether a total of six gardaí have been posted to Border duties from the Clondalkin Garda District, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this will have a serious effect on garda numbers servicing the Clondalkin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11517/96]

234 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice whether gardaí are being transferred from the Tallaght, Clondalkin and Crumlin garda stations to Border duties to deal with the BSE problem; if so, if she will give details of the transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11687/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 224, 225 and 234 together.

The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources and personnel to different areas. They have expressed concerned, and I share that concern, about supplying the kind of detailed information relating to Garda personnel sought by the Deputies, on the grounds of security and in the interests of crime prevention generally.

However, I can say that of the 327 gardaí (all ranks) currently assigned from non-Border Divisions to Border duty arising from the BSE situation, 165 are from the Dublin Metropolitan Area. No members attached to specialist Garda units are among those transferred from Dublin.

A careful assessment of the operational implications was made by the Garda authorities before deciding on the numbers to be assigned from DMA and non-DMA divisions. The Garda authorities will, of course, be making such arrangements as are necessary to minimise the effects of reductions in strength in particular areas as the need arises.