Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide funding for the purchase of additional high-powered unmarked vehicles for the Garda roads policing unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16608/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of an Garda Síochána as well as for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in those matters.

However, the 2020 Estimates provided a budget of €9 million for the purchase of Garda vehicles. I have been informed that as part of the 2020 purchasing plan, twenty five (25) higher-powered Tucsons (184BHP) have been ordered for roads policing and following fit out they will be allocated later this year as marked vehicles. I am further informed that the budget for 2020 is fully committed and there are no plans to purchase higher-powered unmarked vehicles for roads policing.