Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles each year in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22844/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would strongly condemn any assault on, or action that causes harm to, serving members of An Garda Síochána or any action that causes damage to Garda resources or public property. An Garda Síochána perform a vital function in providing safety and security to our communities and should be applauded and supported for their service, not subject to assault or harm in the execution of their duties.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that incidents involving Gardaí in the line of duty are subject to investigation by the Gardaí in the first instance or, where appropriate, by GSOC in accordance with the law. These are operational matters for the Commissioner and the Ombudsman Commission and rest outside my remit as Minister.

While the specific data requested by the Deputy is not available, the table below details the number of collisions where a vehicle owned by An Garda Síochána was damaged based on operational data from PULSE. I should emphasise that these incidents do not necessarily involve the ramming of a Garda vehicle and should not be taken as a count of ramming incidents which are not specifically captured on PULSE.

* Figures up to and including 06thof September 2020.