Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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612. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a protocol operated by the gardaí in relation to when to intervene with persons who are joyriding on stolen motorbikes. [24623/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the development of operational protocols. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

As the Deputy will appreciate, every member of An Garda Síochána is committed to reducing the number and severity of road collisions, educating all road users in their attitudes and behaviour and, when necessary, detecting and intercepting dangerous drivers and those who refuse to comply with road traffic laws.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Decision Making Model, which places constitutional and human rights and the Code of Ethics at its core, applies to all decisions made by members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff from spontaneous incidents to planned operations, daily duties and strategic planning. Decisions regarding interventions, such as with regard to joyriding on stolen motorbikes, requires Garda members to consider community and stakeholders, legal powers and policy, procedures and practice.

The Garda decision making process includes assessment of threats and risks, in addition to consideration of the operational environment and identification of options and contingencies. In addition to the Garda Decision Making Model, there are existing Garda policies and training programmes that support individual Garda members in joyriding situations.