Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current age of the boats available to the Garda water unit; and when she expects the boats to be replaced. [29102/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the provision of equipment for An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit currently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats and nine inflatable boats, as set out in the table.

I am advised that the vessels allocated and the equipment fitted on these boats meets the current requirements of the Garda Water Unit and I understand that a replacement programme for the rigid inflatable boats will commence next year.