Vol. 571 No. 1
1225 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date when the district squad car in the Roscommon area was crashed; the reason for the failure of the Department to furnish funds to replace the car; when a replacement car will be provided to the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20998/03]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the incident in which this patrol car for the Roscommon district was written off occurred on 30 April 2003. It was rammed on this date, along with two other vehicles. The matter was the subject of extensive investigation and the vehicle in question was returned to Garda headquarters on 23 May 2003, where it was declared a write-off. There was no question of the Department failing to furnish funds to replace this vehicle but unfortunately, there were no suitable replacement vehicles in stock at that time.
The purchasing of Garda vehicles, particularly white vehicles normally involves a long lead time and due to changes in the procedures for the fitting out of these vehicles, the lead time this year was longer than heretofore. Replacement vehicles have only recently become available and Roscommon district is being provided with a district patrol car as of today.
