Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to replace and upgrade the Garda transport fleet; the condition of the fleet when he took office; the provision that was made to upgrade the fleet by the previous administration; if he is satisfied that Garda patrol cars and other vehicles are safe to be used on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5655/13]

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to replace and upgrade the Garda transport fleet; the condition of the fleet when he took office; the provision that was made to upgrade the fleet by the previous administration; if he is satisfied that Garda patrol cars and other vehicles are safe to be used on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5652/13]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to replace and upgrade the Garda transport fleet; the condition of the fleet when he took office; the provision that was made to upgrade the fleet by the previous administration; if he is satisfied that Garda patrol cars and other vehicles are safe to be used on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5653/13]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to replace and upgrade the Garda transport fleet; the condition of the fleet when he took office; the provision that was made to upgrade the fleet by the previous administration; if he is satisfied that Garda patrol cars and other vehicles are safe to be used on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5654/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 28, 40 and 50 together.

Decisions in relation to the provision and deployment of Garda vehicles are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements and in the light of available resources.

The Garda transport fleet consisted of 2,414 vehicles in December 2012. The comparative figure for December 2007 was 2,305. With regard to vehicle safety, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the safe operation of the Garda vehicle fleet is a priority for the Force. Within that framework specific measures are in place to ensure that all of the vehicles concerned are maintained to a high standard, so that they can function under safe conditions for both Garda personnel and the general public.

The Deputies will be aware that an additional 213 new vehicles were purchased in 2012 on foot of an investment of €4 million. These new vehicles are currently being rolled out to Garda Divisions throughout the country. In addition, a further provision of €5 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service.