Vol. 506 No. 2
353 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the contracts, if any, between the Garda authorities and private garages for the safe removal of recovered stolen cars; if this process was put out to public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15015/99]
The Garda authorities have advised that when a stolen car is recovered by the Garda Síochána, the owner of the vehicle is notified of this fact and it is then, generally, the responsibility of the owner to have the vehicle removed or towed away.
Where this course of action is not possible for whatever reason – i.e. time of day or the owner cannot be contacted – the Garda will then arrange for a private contractor to remove the vehicle. Each Garda division will use a local contractor for this purpose. A list of such contractors, who have indicated their availability, is maintained at local level. The decision as to which contractor is engaged depends on the location of the recovered vehicle and the availability of the contractor. In such instances the contractor's fees are paid either by the owner of the vehicle or the insurance company.
The Garda authorities have also advised that, where a vehicle is required to be brought to a Garda station for technical examination and no Garda tow truck is available, the services of a local contractor are utilised. Again the location of the vehicle and the availability of the contractor dictates which contractor is utilised. In such instances the district officer is liable for the contractor's fee.
