Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2016
55. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide funding for the purchase of extra Garda Síochána command and control vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9253/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by Garda management that there are no plans at present to purchase command and control vehicles.
Since 2012, some €34 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015. This significant investment provides the Gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles for high-visibility road policing. Investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Garda can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
