Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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226. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and vans that are Bluetooth enabled; the number that are connected to the central information technology system of the force; the number not equipped for hands-free phone connections; the number not enabled for GPS tracking; and the general geographic area of use in this regard. [41469/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis. Accordingly, the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 to 2021 sets out a series of initiatives which will enable An Garda Síochána deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda policy restricts generally the use of hands-free car kits while driving and that most marked cars are not Bluetooth enabled. However, I understand that a small number of unmarked vehicles have hands-free kits installed as required for specialist roles. I am further informed that some 2,266 Garda vehicles operating nationwide are fitted with TETRA radios and the majority of these vehicles have GPS tracking enabled.

In addition, An Garda Síochána operate Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems (ANPR) in approximately 95 Garda vehicles deployed nationally which are connected to the central ANPR system to allow real time information to flow between the vehicle and the central processing unit.