Reducing the size of the Garda Traffic Corps “is a short-sighted and retrograde step” that will have a “detrimental effect on policing across the country”.
This is the view of Jim Cuddy, the Independent councillor for the Oranmore area, who is calling on Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and Minister for Justice Alan Shatter to review this decision.
The Garda Traffic Corps will be reduced from 1,200 to 900 across the State, a more than a 25 per cent reduction. Cllr Cuddy pointed out that the decision came in the same week that it was announced that road deaths in 2011 were the lowest since records began.
“The serious reduction in road deaths has been mainly attributed to the diligent work of the Garda Traffic Corps,” he said, “and reducing its numbers is short-sighted.”
He said when the traffic corp reduction is coupled with the reduction in Garda manpower and the suspension of Garda recruitment, “it will have a detrimental effect” on policing.
“It takes two years to train a garda,” he said. “Given the large numbers that have retired and the further numbers that will be leaving the force by the end of February, recruitment needs to begin as soon as possible to maintain a sufficient Garda presence.”
Cllr Cuddy said Minister Shatter “must recognise” that Gardaí have to be recruited and that he commence a recruitment process as soon as possible.
