I would like to begin by expressing my sympathies and condolences and those of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the families, friends and colleagues of the two members of the Garda Síochána who lost their lives in the tragic accident in Finglas four years ago. The two men who died paid the ultimate price in the service of their fellow citizens. Their sudden and untimely deaths are an example of the dangers each member of the Garda Síochána can face in the discharge of his or her daily duties. We should never forget this.
Deputy Costello has raised questions relating to comments made in the High Curt by Mr. Justice Johnson about the vehicles involved. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a requirement to include airbags as standard has been part of the technical specifications for the supply of Garda vehicles since 2000. The Garda authorities have informed the Minister that it is difficult to estimate the exact number of those vehicles purchased before 2000 that have no airbags or side impact protection as some manufacturers were supplying these items prior to their being specified by An Garda Síochána. The vast majority of these are not front line emergency vehicles but utility vehicles such as vans and the like.
Significant investment has taken place in the Garda fleet over the last few years. This has resulted in an increase in the size of the fleet from 1,898 vehicles at the end of 1997 to 2,076 vehicles at present. In addition, the Garda is currently arranging the purchase of a further 382 motor vehicles. Approximately 60 of these have already been received and are currently being fitted out. Other vehicles are arriving on a daily basis. This investment in new vehicles will maximise the safety of members of the Garda Síochána and members of the public in the variety of uses of Garda vehicles. Furthermore it will minimise maintenance costs and improve the re-sale value of Garda vehicles.
The issue of safety is always uppermost in the Garda authorities' deliberations on the purchase of vehicles for the Garda fleet. Considerable research has been conducted by the Garda Síochána into the use of various types of vehicles in police forces worldwide and the Minister has been informed that there is little difference in general vehicle policy throughout police forces no matter what part of the world they operate in.
There have been substantial improvements to vehicles, both in their design and construction, in recent years and in the level of equipment fitted to vehicles to bring them to operational standards. The conspicuity of Garda vehicles has been greatly improved both in quality and design. The technical specifications for the supply of vehicles for the Garda fleet have been rewritten to incorporate the highest possible safety standards for the particular class of vehicle. In particular, vehicles are specified with safety features such as ABS braking, driver and passenger airbags, power steering, central locking, electric windows, anti-shatter film to all glass which minimises the injury risk to occupants from shattered glass in the event of a collision and increased conspicuity. These items are specified for all vehicles and can contribute greatly to increased safety. The European new car assessment program, ENCAP, scores are carefully monitored for any tender competition to purchase vehicles. All vehicles purchased in future will be required to have a minimum of four stars in the ENCAP system.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
As the Deputy is aware, the Select Committee on Justice, Equality Defence and Women's Rights met earlier this year to debate the 2004 Estimates for the Justice group of Votes and the issue of safety of Garda cars was raised. At that time the Minister informed the committee that the issue of safety of Garda cars was more complicated than one might think. The Minister further informed the committee that the Garda Commissioner had established a working group, which includes members of the GRA and AGSI, to examine the whole question of safety of Garda vehicles.
The Minister has recently again written to the Commissioner on the matter and he has been informed that the working group is now due to report to the Commissioner before Christmas. It was previously to have reported by the end of August. The Minister has indicated that he will revert further to the select committee when those findings are available to him.