Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of An Garda Síochána who are driving official cars and only have the chief superintendent's permission to do so. [38706/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are allowed to drive official vehicles in two circumstances: (a) where they hold at least a class B driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent; or (b) where they have completed an official driving course.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí who are driving Garda cars where they hold at least a class B Driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent, in each region, as at the 17 November 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder:

Garda management states that the staffing levels of the Garda Driving and Training school are currently being examined with a view to reducing the number of personnel driving on Chief's Permission.