Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents of ramming of Garda vehicles over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7243/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents of gardaí being injured in incidents of ramming of Garda vehicles over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7244/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.

The Deputy is already aware that I consider the deliberate ramming of Garda vehicles to be an extremely serious matter insofar as road safety is concerned. The safety of the members of An Garda Síochána and the general public on our roads is of critical importance. It is essential that Gardaí are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which Gardaí find themselves.

The following table outlines details of the number of incidents reported which involved the ‘ramming’ of a Garda vehicle from 2010 to date. Details of the number of incidents prior to 2010 are not available.

I have requested a Garda report on the number of incidents of Gardaí being injured in incidents of ramming of Garda vehicles over the past ten years and I will make contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.