Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
188. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the training available for gardaí in dealing with persons with suicidal ideation operating motor vehicles; the new training that will be made available to deal with suicidal ideation and driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9942/14]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Roads Policing Manual was issued in July 2013 and sets out guidance on Roads Policing. The manual includes policy and procedures in relation to Organisation & Responsibilities, Driver Training and Health & Safety. The Garda Roads Policing Manual will be reviewed on an annual basis, ensuring up-to-date policy and procedures are in place. The roles and responsibilities of Garda members involved in pursuit incidents are clearly set out and the policy manual outlines the policies and procedures to be followed where an individual appears to be intent on harming themselves, with the safety of all those involved in such situations, including the general public, being paramount.
As the circumstances of each incident will be unique, there is, no one size fits all, no "formula based" or set plan approach that can be applied from the perspective of the Garda driver who encounters such a situation. Each potential case has to be dynamically assessed by the responding Garda driver, given the unique circumstances, (driver's mindset, location and proximity of nearest assisting Garda vehicle, vehicle performance, available reaction time etc) relevant to each potential case. Since 2008, "Specific Response Training" (not to be confused with pursuit training) has been delivered through stages 2 and 3 of An Garda Síochána's Competency Based Driving Programme (C.B.D.).
