Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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573. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make contact with the management of An Garda Síochána to ensure that all future recruits are trained to drive Garda patrol vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47109/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying out and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

However, the Deputy may wish to note that under the Modernisation and Reform Programme 2016 -2021 there is a specific recommendation in relation to Garda Drivers including in relation to training. In its Third Progress Report, which I published in September, the Policing Authority reported that work is underway in this area however they also noted that more needs to be done. An Garda Síochána is continuing to work towards fully implementing this recommendation and the Policing Authority will continue to monitor and report on progress in relation to this.