Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have seen those issues. When I was criticised by Deputies in the House for an absence of training, it coincided with a visit I made to Tralee Garda station, where I attended a continuing professional development, CPD, class with up to 25 ordinary rank and file gardaí from Kerry who were engaged in ongoing CPD on the day of my arrival. It is fair to say there is an ongoing programme of continuous professional development, which is only right when having regard to the legislative change we introduce here on a daily basis.

The Senator referred specifically to driver training. Of course it is absolutely essential that members of An Garda Síochána are in a position to give chase. I am very keen they would have the appropriate resources to do so. The Garda fleet has seen a significant cash injection in recent times to allow for state-of-the-art vehicles to come on stream.

I have raised the issue of driver training for An Garda Síochána. Members will appreciate the fact that not all 13,500 members of the Garda need full training in rapid chase expertise. If there are four gardaí in the car, for example, then one is a driver and three are gardaí. I have, however, raised the issue with the Garda Commissioner and I expect that it will be addressed in the context of training and there will be greater concentration on specific, expert driver training. That level of expertise has been attained by just under 3,000 members of the Garda in the past four years. I will be happy to communicate further details once I have a response from the Garda Commissioner about the current driver situation.