Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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275. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide funding to purchase high powered unmarked motorcycles for the Garda traffic corps. [50231/17]

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

The Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in the Garda Fleet in recent years with some €46 million being invested over the lifetime of the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021 to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as at 13 November 2017 (the latest date for which figures are available), there were some 131 motorcycles in the Garda fleet and that some 12 marked 1200cc motorcycles were recently delivered to An Garda Síochána and will be allocated shortly.

I am further informed that there are currently no plans to purchase unmarked motorcycles.