Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

210 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Gardaí have been unable to respond to calls from the public due to the lack of patrol cars or other facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23651/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that whilst there may be occasions that gardaí are unable to respond to calls from members of the public immediately due to a lack of transport resources, rarely if ever will a situation arise where calls are not responded to by whatever means possible, including if necessary the use of private transport. The Garda does not have an unlimited supply of vehicles and requests for spare vehicles in the event of a vehicle not being available for whatever reason must be prioritised according to the urgency of each case. Every effort is made to ensure that districts and the various units within the Garda Síochána have their full complement of allocated transport resources available to them at all times. I have been further informed that the total Garda operational fleet comprises 1,957 vehicles as shown in the following table:

Vehicles

Number

Percentage ofTotal Fleet

Cars

1,348

68.9%

4 x 4's

88

4.5%

Vans

226

11.5%

Motorbikes

229

11.7%

Minibuses etc.

66

3.4%

Total

1,957

100%

These numbers exclude vehicles awaiting auction, the ministerial fleet and new vehicles in stock awaiting allocation.

Should a vehicle be unavailable for any lengthy period, not including routine repair and maintenance, every effort will be made to provide a replacement vehicle within a reasonable time subject to availability.