asked the Minister for Justice his response to senior Garda suggestions that discarded reinforced Government Mercedes cars be made available to the gardaí to assist with the problem of stolen cars.
Written Answers. - Garda Vehicles.
625.
Limerick East): The allocation of particular types of vehicles to members of the force for specific tasks is a matter for the Garda authorities. I am informed by the authorities that cars from the ministerial fleet — an increasing number of which are not Mercedes because of a Government decision to use smaller cars — are withdrawn from service on the basis of high mileage and condition and that no Mercedes cars are available at present for use in assisting with the problem of stolen vehicles.
As indicated in the Adjournment Debate in Dáil Éireann on 28 February 1985, the Garda authorities are paying special attention to devising acceptable methods of pursuing and stopping speeding vehicles. In January 1985 a special unit was set up in the Dublin Metropolitan Area to deal with the problem and recently this was equipped with additional vehicles including special heavy vans to assist with the problem.