Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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318. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change the Garda office holder fleet to a range of electric and or hybrid fuelled vehicles; if funding was granted to An Garda Síochána to begin converting the fleet in 2017; if not, if it will be provided in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30669/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the feasibility of energy efficiencies which may be afforded by hybrid or electric vehicles is under consideration.  I am informed that An Garda Síochána purchased two electric vehicles in 2018 to evaluate the potential and limitations of electric vehicles in operational Garda environments.  I understand that once the vehicles have been fitted out to the standard operational specification they will be allocated to front line duties. The outcome of this pilot study will inform any future decisions in relation to the Garda fleet.

More generally, I am informed that An Garda Síochána have been involved in the Public Sector Energy reporting programme since 2011 and have achieved a 25.7% improvement in energy efficiency up to 2017, against the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) 33% energy efficiency target by 2020. In relation to transport, the majority of efficiencies have been achieved from the conversion from petrol to diesel.