Vol. 568 No. 1
673 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to provide the Garda Síochána with patrol cars that can best protect gardaí from physical injury in the course of their duties; if the advice of the Health and Safety Authority on minimising safety requirements has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15575/03]
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the issue of safety is always uppermost in their deliberations on the purchase of vehicles for the Garda fleet. In particular, all vehicles purchased for the Garda fleet must comply with all current legislation and the purchase specifications will reflect this fact; the tender competition held for the purchase of vehicles for the Garda fleet awards extra marks for "added value" which includes its ENCAP scoring; ENCAP, European new car assessment programme, scores are carefully monitored for any tender competition to purchase vehicles; vehicles are specified with safety features such as ABS braking, driver and passenger airbags, power steering, central locking, electric windows and anti-shatter film to all glass which minimises the injury risk to occupants from shattered glass in the event of a collision. These items are specified for all vehicles and can contribute greatly to increased safety. Vehicles are tested and evaluated on an ongoing basis to establish their suitability as Garda vehicles. Safety will always be an important feature to be considered in any evaluation process.
Four cars with a five star rating were purchased last year for evaluation purposes. There are more cars which now qualify for five star rating and the Garda Síochána is examining the possibility of purchasing some of these this year. It is also planned to purchase two further vehicles for evaluation purposes this year. These vehicles have additional designed in safety features, which reputedly make them some of the safest cars in their class. Many of the vehicles currently being purchased have safety systems that are an integral part of the vehicle design and are among the safest in their class, and way above the requirements in the specification. Again, these vehicles receive extra marks in the tender competition for added value.
