Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 7 March 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to have the PQ answered. [25262/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 7 March 2023 refers to the estimated cost of training an additional 225 Gardaí in the competency-based driver level 3 course in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including human resources and training for members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy as the Garda College does not have systems available to extrapolate the specific information. However, you may be interested to know that the Garda College Training Plan for 2023 states that €6,997 is the amount required by the Garda College to Finance CBD3 training for 32 Garda members.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that these costings do not include potential travel expenses that participants may incur travelling from various locations throughout the country to the training centre.

I am also informed that there are also facilities maintenance, administrative and supervisory costs involved with the delivery of these courses, these are not included in the above costing, as the Garda College financial system is not capable of providing this level of breakdown.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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166. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unmarked cars and unmarked vans attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as of 16 May 2023; if he will provide the same figures as of 1 March 2021, in tabular form. [25263/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

Unmarked Cars and Vans attached to Garda National Immigration Bureau

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) in June 2022 on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publicly available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration.

The final meeting of the FEC took place in March 2023, and the Committee has finalised its reports. The reports have been submitted to me and I have published them along with the minutes of the FEC’s meetings on Friday, 31 March 2023, on Gov.ie. As I have emphasised throughout the process, the role of the FEC was to make recommendations to me for subsequent consideration. Any subsequent changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations by the committee will of course be subject to prior consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

An online consultation platform was launched on 3 May 2023 and will run until 2 June 2023. This will allow everyone with an interest to indicate their level of support for all of the substantive recommendations of the FEC. I have also sought written submissions on the recommendations of the FEC from a range of stakeholder organisations and intend to meet with such organisations in due course.

The FEC considered a wide range of matters relevant to firearms stakeholders. Insofar as the claims made by the Deputy are concerned, the position is that no direction or request has issued to An Garda Síochána in respect of the FEC’s recommendations. As the Deputy will know, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation in the State, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations, and I can confirm that there has been no change in policy or law as a result of the recommendations. An Garda Síochána is of course independent in the discharge of its functions and that is as it should be.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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168. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 18 April 2023, if he will clarify whether the new Garda air fleet will use unleaded fuels (details supplied). [25323/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána which includes funding to procure a new fixed wing aircraft.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Air Support Unit was established in 1997, is based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

I am informed by Garda authorities that any new aircraft added to the fleet of An Garda Síochána will only utilise fuel without lead additive.