Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the procurement of new vehicles for An Garda Sßochána, is there a maximum of 300,000 kilometres referred to in the procurement document at which point the warranty may expire resulting in the cars having to be taken off the road; if this figure can be eliminated and some other mechanism put in place for example, cars that are in good roadworthy condition can continue to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34668/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Decisions in relation to the provision and deployment of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is a priority that all Garda operational vehicles fully meet the safety requirements of both Garda personnel and members of the public. This is a function which is undertaken in accordance with strict standards set by the vehicle manufacturers.

I understand from the Garda authorities that new vehicles are purchased on the basis that they will have a warranty period of not less than three years or 300,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. However, the relevant manufacturers have also indicated that, for safety reasons, patrol cars should be withdrawn from service when the odometer reading reaches 300,000 kilometres and, accordingly, this is the operational policy that is applied by the Garda authorities.