John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the model of the car or cars used by him and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the performance of their official duties; and if it is a diesel, petrol or electric engine. [28716/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion.  Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021.  This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

The Deputy may further wish to be aware that a total of €10 million has been made available for the purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2019.  I understand from the Garda authorities that this allocation will be used for purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles for operational use this year.

Regarding the specific matter raised by the Deputy, I can inform the Deputy that six office holders have been assigned vehicles from the Office Holder Fleet. Details, as conveyed to me by the Garda authorities, are set out in the following table identifying the vehicle type and fuel type of the vehicles assigned to office holders, correct as of 2 July 2019.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that the feasibility of the use of hybrid or electric vehicles is under consideration within An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that 2 electric vehicles were purchased by An Garda Síochána in 2018, in order to evaluate the potential for their use in Garda operational environments.