Dick Roche's Protection Officer

Drummerboy08

OK, this one has come up in light of Dick Roche being held "hostage".

And forgive me, i am not a member of the Garda, so a lot will say/feel i dont know what i am talking about. This is why im asking the questions - to make sure i have got this right.

1 - Does Dick have a Protection Officer?

2 - Why does Dick have a protection officer? Has there been a massive amount of death threats to Junior Ministers in the last year?

3 - Would the money that it costs keeping a protection officer with someone like Dick not be better spent on putting an extra Gargda on the streets?

I understand the need to possibly have a protection Officer with some of the higher profile ministers, but until this morning i wasnt even sure what Dick Roche actually done.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but in my view, this is just another example of an overspending, egotistical government. I pity the poor guy who gets landed with that job.

dredre

According to RTE news, Mr Roche has a civilian driver.

However, now that his daily routine has been well publicised, perhaps he should be given Garda protection?!

donieD

if only the taxpapers could be protected from the wasteful actions of dick and his colleagues

fluffysierra

He wasn't the target in the raid, just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

hargo

1 - Does Dick have a Protection Officer?

No.

In my opinion

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

OK, this one has come up in light of Dick Roche being held "hostage".

And forgive me, i am not a member of the Garda, so a lot will say/feel i dont know what i am talking about. This is why im asking the questions - to make sure i have got this right.

1 - Does Dick have a Protection Officer? No

2 - Why does Dick have a protection officer? Has there been a massive amount of death threats to Junior Ministers in the last year? He does not have one.

3 - Would the money that it costs keeping a protection officer with someone like Dick not be better spent on putting an extra Gargda on the streets? To put one Garda in one spot 24 hrs 365 days takes 5.3 Gardai I believe I remember Pat Byrne saying this once.

I understand the need to possibly have a protection Officer with some of the higher profile ministers, but until this morning i wasnt even sure what Dick Roche actually done.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but in my view, this is just another example of an overspending, egotistical government. I pity the poor guy who gets landed with that job.

How?

Ministers of State used to get a Garda driver and state car until the mid 80's I believe.

timmywex

Full ministers and the taoiseach have armed garda drivers
Junior minsiters generally dont, unless there is perceived to be a significant threat against them
Judges used to during the troubles alot of the time, but now only if they are on a high progile trial...i think!

No idea on the cost, but to have someone with them 24 hours a day is going to be at least 4gardai, 1 per shift, but maybe more, espicially when leave is factored in etc?!

In my opinion

timmywex wrote: »

Full ministers and the taoiseach have armed garda drivers
Junior minsiters generally dont, unless there is perceived to be a significant threat against them
Judges used to during the troubles alot of the time, but now only if they are on a high progile trial...i think!

No idea on the cost, but to have someone with them 24 hours a day is going to be at least 4gardai, 1 per shift, but maybe more, espicially when leave is factored in etc?!

No each minister has two drivers they work week on week off they are not with the minister 24 hrs a day but they do put in long hours. Details probably provide cover for annual leave etc.

lostexpectation

funny how the garda spokespersons said how they had obviously done alot of surveillence before hand, hmm not very good surveillence otherwise there would have avoided robbing it with a minister(of state) there.

Eru

lostexpectation wrote: »

funny how the garda spokespersons said how they had obviously done alot of surveillence before hand, hmm not very good surveillence otherwise there would have avoided robbing it with a minister(of state) there.

Well in fairness its the type of location where people are coming and going all day every day. You cant say for certain who will or will not be in a restaurant, hotel, bank etc.

Im sure its something they would rather have avoided

lostexpectation

i think he may deserve a garda driver regardless of this, with lisbon 2 coming up, i would have hoped his civilian driver atleast did one of those public advanced driving courses.

deadwood

lostexpectation wrote: »

i think he may deserve a garda driver regardless of this, with lisbon 2 coming up, i would have hoped his civilian driver atleast did one of those public advanced driving courses.

They offered Roche a driver before but he said no.

It's not as if the government would make him decide again, and keep doing so until he agrees, is it?;)