Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figures are shocking and worrying as is the information that there are approximately three incidents every fortnight. I thank the Minister for considering the draft legislation I have sent to her Department. If part of that legislation could be implemented or included in any future legislative provisions it would be helpful, in my view. Anything we can do to protect our Garda force would be very advantageous.

While I very much appreciate and welcome the investment in new Garda vehicles we need to focus on the quality of the vehicles rather than on quantity alone. It is important to have the very best vehicles for safety and handling when dealing with criminals. For example, the odds are stacked against a garda driving a 1.5 litre diesel car attempting to apprehend a criminal in car with a 2 litre or higher petrol engine. We need to focus on quality as well as on quantity.

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